Can You Exercise While Undergoing Treatment For Cancer?
The treatment pathway for cancer once diagnosed will focus on the treatments, medications, radiotherapy and other specialist care that will provide the best possible outcomes, but cancer care does not begin nor does it end with primary treatment.
Maintaining your physical and mental health is vital for treatments to be successful, and whilst exercise and physical activity are essential throughout your life and can in some cases help reduce or remove certain risk factors for cancer according to Cancer Research UK, it also has many benefits during treatment.
A common question that oncologists are asked is about the level of exercise that is advised or recommended for people undergoing cancer treatment.
This is a somewhat more difficult question to answer as whilst exercise is safe and often can help relieve certain symptoms of treatment, every case is different and an exercise plan needs to work with the body.
Your oncologist or a specialist nurse can give you tailored advice, but here are some answers to some general questions when it comes to cancer treatment.
How Much Exercise Should You Do?
Everyone has different levels of activity which work best for them, and the golden rule of exercise is that any physical activity you do will contribute to improved health.
The answer will vary considerably depending on the type of treatment you are receiving, your general level of fitness and any health complications.
Whilst the NHS advice when it comes to fitness is to aim for 150 minutes of physical activity a week, any amount of physical activity will make a difference.
The more exercise you are able to do, the better, but listen to your body as well.
Do You Need To Be Consistent?
The NHS advice is often treated as a consistent target to hit and that you must do 21 minutes of exercise every day, which is not always necessarily feasible. Anyone undergoing long-term treatment will have days when they have more energy than others.
Start with gentle exercise in relatively short bursts, listening to your body in the process to know when to stop.
You do not need to be consistently meeting or breaking personal targets each and every day but try to do something active if you can at all, even if it is a short walk around the house or around the block.
The benefits of consistently being active will be felt as you continue to exercise. As you exercise more, the more you will build yourself up to longer and more intense workouts going forward.
Which Types Of Exercises Are Best?
Your specialist team will be able to provide specific advice, but the best exercises are those that you enjoy and that you feel you can do consistently. Many people will be prescribed physiotherapy specifically to get themselves started, but most gentle exercises can be undertaken by anyone undergoing cancer treatment.
The best exercises are those that push your body but not so much as to risk injury. Whilst more vigorous exercise will provide greater benefits, overtraining or training when you are sore or stiff can be counterproductive.
You could, for example, engage in pursuits such as walking, gentle yoga, light strength training, or water aerobics, all of which you can tailor to suit your own fitness ability, range of motion and mobility. What is important is to listen to your body and pay attention to the cues it gives you so you don’t over-exert yourself.
Are There Any Exercises To Avoid?
There are some types of exercises which may need to be avoided depending on the type of treatment you are undertaking.
For example, people who are undergoing treatment for bone cancer should avoid exercises which might put a strain on the bones. Hydrotherapy and swimming are excellent exercises as they provide both support and gentle resistance, allowing people to exercise more than they otherwise would.
Alongside this, certain types of surgery require some rest before a return to a full exercise regime, although in most cases there will be exercises you can do to keep yourself active before you can return to your usual routine.
Some cancer treatments can affect the immune system, and if you are used to exercising in public gyms, you should ask your medical team when you can start exercising again in order to avoid the risk of infection.
Adjusting Exercise Based on Treatment Side Effects
In the specific case of radiotherapy treatment, if you have areas of sensitive skin, make sure to wear clothing that is both loose and gentle to avoid rubbing and irritation.
It is also worth asking your radiotherapy team about swimming, as some pools use chemical treatments that can irritate sensitive skin depending on what type of treatment you receive.
If you are struggling with balance, coordination, muscle strength or numbness, then an exercise bike or gentle hydrotherapy can be beneficial forms of exercise instead. A physiotherapist can also help you to regain your balance and avoid falling.
