Exercise and Cancer

Prepared by Joelle Lappala for CBI 360°

Health

What is Cancer?What is Cancer?

Uncontrolled cell growth that can invade other tissue

Abnormal cells can be spread through the blood and lymph systems

There are over 200 types and each type can behave very differently. They grow at different rates and respond differently to different treatments.

Cancer StatisticsCancer Statistics

Approximately 170 000 new cases of cancer were expected to be diagnosed in 2009.

On average, 62% of people are expected to survive at least 5 years after diagnosis with cancer

Only 22% of survivors are physically active

Over 18% of survivors are obese

20-45% of survivors experience emotional distress

Cancer and Lifestyle

Recent research shows that up to 1/3 of all cancers can be prevented by changes in lifestyle

These lifestyle factors include:– Smoking– Alcohol Consumption– Exercise – Diet – Sun Exposure

The Role of Exercise

In the past, bed rest was recommended due to safety concerns. It is now known that this can cause symptoms to get worse

Research is consistently showing both physical and psychological benefits throughout the ENTIRE cancer process

Lifestyle and Types of Cancer

Losing weight is most likely to reduce your risk of developing breast and prostate cancer

Other cancers that may be affected by lifestyle include colon, endometrial and kidney cancer

Cancer and Body Weight

14-20% of cancer related deaths are related to excess body weight

More research is needed to know exactly how excess body fat is linked to cancer. Some possible causes include:

– The processing of sugar and fat– Immune system function– Levels of hormones like insulin and estrogen– Excess fat may affect factors that regulate cell division

Reduce your Risk

Quit Smoking - 30% of all cancer deaths and more than 85% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking

Lose Weight – Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and fibre and reduce your intake of sugars and fat. Also important to get the recommended amount of exercise

Limit alcohol intake to less than 1/day for women and 2/day for men

Consider taking a vitamin D supplement

Framework PEACEFramework PEACEPhysical Exercise Across the Cancer ExperiencePhysical Exercise Across the Cancer Experience

In 2001, Courneya and Friendenreich, proposed an organizational In 2001, Courneya and Friendenreich, proposed an organizational framework that divided the cancer experience into 6 areas: framework that divided the cancer experience into 6 areas: • Prescreening – Exercise may have a protective effectPrescreening – Exercise may have a protective effect• Screening/Diagnosis – Exercise may influence screening Screening/Diagnosis – Exercise may influence screening

measuresmeasures• Pretreatment – Exercise prior to treatment may provide a Pretreatment – Exercise prior to treatment may provide a

buffering effectbuffering effect• Treatment – Exercise may help patients cope with treatmentTreatment – Exercise may help patients cope with treatment• Post-treatment – Exercise may allow for better rehabilitationPost-treatment – Exercise may allow for better rehabilitation• Resumption – Exercise may increase cancer survivalResumption – Exercise may increase cancer survival

Bottom Line: Exercise has physical and psychological benefits during all stages of cancer

Cancer and Quality of LifeCancer and Quality of Life

The side-effects of treatment can be severe and The side-effects of treatment can be severe and interfere with treatment completion, day to day interfere with treatment completion, day to day functioning and quality of lifefunctioning and quality of life

Symptoms include fatigue, sleep disruptions, Symptoms include fatigue, sleep disruptions, depression and impaired muscle and depression and impaired muscle and cardiorespiratory functioncardiorespiratory function

Most of the exercise research has focused on Most of the exercise research has focused on symptom management to improve quality of lifesymptom management to improve quality of life

Exercise During Cancer Treatment

Frequency/DurationFrequency/Duration

Less fatigue was experienced when patients exercised for only 10-minute bouts at least every other day

Aerobic exercise – 10-90 min 3-7 days per week

Resistance training – 3 times per week

IntensityIntensity

Low intensity aerobic exercise is as beneficial as moderate intensity in improving aerobic capacity, body composition, QOL, fatigue and anxiety

Symptom-dependent– based on stage of cancer, treatment or recovery as well as

other co-morbidities– Progress slowly, accommodate for limitations

In the absence of limitations work up to: – 40 to 60 percent of 1-repetition maximum for strength

training – 40 to 60 percent heart rate reserve (HRR) for aerobic

exercise

Aerobic vs. Resistance ExerciseAerobic vs. Resistance Exercise

Both types are associated with decreased Both types are associated with decreased mortality and increased QOLmortality and increased QOL– Resistance training also associated with faster Resistance training also associated with faster

chemotherapy completion rates and longer term chemotherapy completion rates and longer term improvements in fatigueimprovements in fatigue

Yoga and CancerYoga and Cancer

Yoga is increasingly being incorporated into cancer Yoga is increasingly being incorporated into cancer rehabilitation worldwide rehabilitation worldwide

Lower levels of fatigue and pain and higher levels of Lower levels of fatigue and pain and higher levels of invigoration, acceptance and relaxation were reported invigoration, acceptance and relaxation were reported the day after a yoga session in women with breast the day after a yoga session in women with breast cancercancer

The ability to perform daily activities, diminished The ability to perform daily activities, diminished stress and increased levels of sleep have been shown stress and increased levels of sleep have been shown to change after participating in yogato change after participating in yoga

Conclusion

Cancer may be prevented by changes in lifestyle

Exercise during cancer treatment can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of reoccurrence

References

American Cancer Society [http://www.cancer.org] Canadian Cancer Society [http://www.cancer.ca] National Cancer Institute [http://www.cancer.gov] Additional References upon request