Cancer is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people globally, and the treatment process can be painful and expensive.

However, studies have shown that incorporating aerobic exercises into a patient’s lifestyle can significantly help in the fight against cancer. In this article, we explore the relation between aerobic exercises and cancer treatment.

What is Aerobic Exercise?

Aerobic exercise is any form of physical activity that increases the heart rate and breathing rate, which leads to an influx of oxygen to the body’s tissues.

It stimulates the body’s cardiovascular system, which includes the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Examples of aerobic exercise include running, cycling, swimming, and dancing.

Effects of Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise has several benefits to the body, including:.

Strengthening of the cardiovascular system – aerobic exercise enables the heart to pump blood more efficiently, thereby maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
Weight Loss – it is an effective way to burn calories, which aids in weight loss and thus lowers the risk of certain cancers such as breast, colon, and endometrial cancers.
Stress Reduction – Aerobic exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good hormones. They help to reduce stress levels, anxiety, and depression.
Improvement in Immune System – regular aerobic exercise has been found to reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

Aerobic Exercise and Cancer

Research has shown that incorporating aerobic exercise as part of cancer treatment has a positive impact on the patient’s quality of life, physical functioning, and survival.

In several studies, aerobic exercises have been shown to enhance the effectiveness of various cancer therapies while reducing their side effects.

Aerobic Exercise during and after cancer treatment

During cancer treatment, cancer patients tend to experience fatigue, muscle weakness, and loss of muscle mass. This happens due to chemotherapy, radiation treatments, surgery, or the cancer’s effects itself.

Aerobic exercise can help alleviate these side effects, including improving quality of life, managing fatigue, and reducing muscle wasting. It can also improve the patient’s mental health by reducing emotional distress, anxiety, and depression.

After cancer treatment, patients may experience significant changes in their physical functioning. The intensity of aerobic exercise may be lower initially. This can be managed through increasing the intensity and duration gradually.

Adherence to an exercise program is essential at this stage to help prevent cancer recurrence and useful towards cancer prevention.

Types of Cancer

Aerobic exercise is effective in aiding the fight against different types of cancer, including:.

Breast Cancer – Aerobic exercises such as cycling and brisk walking can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Ovarian Cancer – Aerobic exercise helps in the reduction of inflammation and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Colon Cancer – Aerobic exercise lowers the risk of colon cancer by increasing the body’s blood circulation and improving bowel movements.
Lung Cancer – Aerobic exercise can help boost lung capacity, reducing the risk of developing lung cancer.
Prostate Cancer – Aerobic exercise aids in the management of prostate cancer-related symptoms, including fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and weight gain.

Guidelines for Aerobic Exercise and Cancer

Below are some guidelines for aerobic exercise and cancer:.

Seek professional advice from a healthcare provider before starting an exercise program during cancer treatment.
Start gradually and choose exercises that are comfortable and enjoyable.
Set realistic goals and track progress.
Exercise at moderate intensity, i.e., the patient can still talk, but a little breathless.
Engage in aerobic exercises for at least 150 minutes per week, with short breaks as needed.
Include exercises that target specific muscle groups.
Exercise decreases accuracy during infections. Patients who are immunosuppressed should review their exercise regime with their healthcare professional.

Conclusion

In conclusion, aerobic exercise plays a crucial role in helping to fight cancer and managing cancer-related side effects and symptoms.

The numerous studies conducted show that aerobic exercises are effective and beneficial in cancer prevention, control and can help enhance the patient’s overall well-being. Incorporating aerobic exercises into your lifestyle can be a simple and effective way to manage cancer treatment’s side effects and reduce the risk of cancer.

Exercise with professional guidance is recommended, and it should be part of the patient’s comprehensive cancer care plan.