The Effects of Exercise on Cancer Sufferers
Hey gang.
Today we’re going to cover a pretty heavy subject, but one I think is necessary to address, especially if it can help someone be healthier, or even just feel better … particularly during such a grueling ordeal as battling cancer.
My friend Jackie Clark has a guest post for us today.
If you know anyone suffering from cancer, I recommend you send them over here to give this a read. I’m sure they’ll find this very helpful.
Thanks Jackie (Hey! What a great name!).
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Mesothelioma and Exercise
By: Jackie Clark
Have you ever wondered what kind of impact exercise has on cancer patients?
It turns out that exercising during your treatment of cancer can help improve your chance of survival. It can also improve your overall quality of life during the time that you are being treated for cancer and after you have become a cancer survivor.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. This type of cancer makes it more difficult for the body to get enough oxygen because the cancer is in the lining of the lungs.
Many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma eventually need to have oxygen tanks and masks because they cannot get the oxygen that their body requires.
One way to help your body improve lung function while you have mesothelioma is to begin exercising.
Adequate exercise has been shown to improve cancer prognosis, and may improve a mesothelioma prognosis significantly.
Exercise helps cancer patients be less fatigued and improves physical function, both of which are important aspects of your current and future quality of life.
Exercising can also improve body image, which then improves self-confidence.
It is also important for mesothelioma patients to build lean muscle mass, since much of their original muscle mass may be lost during treatment. Chemotherapy in particular will cause many problems with muscle degradation.
It is very important for mesothelioma patients to begin exercise routines as soon as possible.
Regular aerobic exercises are good for cancer patients because they help the patient feel better while undergoing treatment.
Being in good physical shape can also help speed up recovery time after operations.
Strengthening exercises can help maintain bone density. This is very important because chemotherapy can cause severe bone density loss.
A patient’s mesothelioma prognosis depends on several things. Physical exercise is one of these variables.
Unfortunately, many patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are older. This makes it more difficult for them to exercise and fight the cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moderate exercise for thirty minutes, five days a week is best. However, cancer patients may not be able to do this much exercise, and will have to discover the appropriate amount of exercise with the help of their doctor or a qualified physical therapy specialist.
People with severe cases of mesothelioma, or any cancer, should begin doing short exercise such as going for a brief walk. Working your way up to a few short walks everyday will help to strengthen your body and improve your chances of survival.
If you begin experiencing any type of serious problems while exercising, such as chest tightness or unusually difficult breathing, you should stop and immediately contact your doctor.
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Thanks again to Jackie Clark for helping us out with this valuable information for cancer patients.
If you have cancer or know someone battling this disease you can learn about natural, non-toxic treatments with no side effects.
These treatments can work to offset the side effects of conventional treatments, if you elect to use those treatments. Find out more by clicking here:
==> Cancer-Free
And, to anyone reading here who is or knows someone battling cancer at the moment, I wish you a speedy recovery.
Love,
Girlwithnoname
13207
August 13th, 2011 at 10:21 am
Hi my friend,
I just want to say thank you for posting this wonderful (and very important) topic! Cancer patients need to be aware that just because they’re getting treatments, staying active can still bring them many benefits.
My husband (Luis) is a Pancreatic cancer patient and just recently began going back to work part time. He’s an auto tech and walks around all day long- as well as uses many of his upper body strength while working on cars. Although he lost much weight and muscle mass from chemo, I still believe that physical activity can also be accomplished in an active work place- even though his doctor disagrees.
Take care and have a wonderful weekend
August 13th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Thanks for the note Erika… I wish your husband a speedy recovery.
xo
J
August 17th, 2011 at 6:38 am
This is very powerful. I am sending the link to a girl at work who I think could benefit from it.
Thanks for this!
August 17th, 2011 at 9:00 am
Thanks Michelle, I hope it helps her. ((hug))
J