Chemotherapy, although a common cancer fighting treatment, can often be an exhausting and painful process for patients. Not to mention, sometimes its effectiveness against cancer is not guaranteed. However, there is a remarkable and natural way to enhance the success of this treatment. Surprisingly, the answer lies in something as simple as engaging in moderate exercise on a daily basis.
Doctors frequently recommend exercise to cancer patients, as it has proven to provide significant benefits for both cardiovascular health and psychological wellbeing. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania initially intended to study the effects of exercise on cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and its impact on their heart health. Their research focused on the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, which is known to potentially cause damage to heart cells and potentially lead to heart failure. What they discovered was that exercise helped make the drug much more successful in killing cancer cells.
The Power of Moderate Exercise
The study at the University of Pennsylvania involved testing the effects of exercise on lab animals. Animals who were treated with doxorubicin and walked for 45 minutes each day experienced significantly smaller tumors than the animals who did not engage in any exercise. Researcher Joseph Libonati stated, “We looked, and the exercise didn’t do anything to the heart—it didn’t worsen it, it didn’t help it. But the tumor data—I find them actually amazing.”
Scientists have plans to conduct further studies into how exercise can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment. One theory they are currently exploring is that exercise could potentially increase blood flow to tumors, which may ultimately expose more cancer cells to the chemotherapy drug. “If exercise helps in this way, you could potentially use a smaller dose of the drug and get fewer side effects,” says Libonati.
Choosing the Right Exercise
When considering what type of exercise to incorporate into your daily routine, it is important to consider your own personal circumstances. Cancer patients should always consult with their healthcare professional before making any changes to their current exercise routine. Depending on the severity of their condition and other factors, there may be limitations to what type of exercise they can safely engage in.
Some examples of moderate exercise could include:
- Walking
- Yoga
- Stretching exercises
- Resistance band exercises
- Pilates
- Tai chi
- Swimming
- Low-intensity cycling
Additional Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients
Aside from the potential of making chemotherapy treatment more effective, engaging in regular exercise offers a variety of additional benefits for cancer patients. These can include:
- Reduced fatigue: Cancer treatment often leads to debilitating fatigue. Regular exercise can help alleviate some of this exhaustion, giving patients more energy to get through each day.
- Improved mood: Exercise has been shown to positively impact one’s mental and emotional state. This can be especially beneficial for cancer patients who often experience significant mental stress and anxiety throughout their treatment journey.
- Enhanced immune function: Exercise can help boost the immune system, which is important for cancer patients whose immune systems are often weakened due to their medical treatments.
- Better sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep can be challenging for cancer patients. Regular exercise can promote better sleep quality and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
In conclusion, including moderate exercise in your daily routine can potentially improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment and contribute to your overall well-being during cancer treatment. Always consult with your healthcare professional before making any modifications to your exercise routine, and listen to your body’s signals to guide you in finding the right balance.
