If you think a cancer diagnosis automatically means you’ll need to get plenty of bed rest and avoid activity, think again. A host of medical studies show that exercise can not only reduce the chances of developing cancer, it’s also safe during and after cancer treatment, helping improve quality of life, increase energy levels, and decrease the fatigue that many patients report.
Here are some tips for starting your own fitness routine, even if you’re facing the challenge of cancer.
1. Start smart. Cancer patients and survivors alike should check with their doctor before beginning a fitness routine. While exercise offers a wealth of beneficial effects, certain medications or treatments may affect the amount of physical activity your physician recommends.
2. Aim for experience. Once your doctor says you’re good to go, work with a fitness expert who has experience helping cancer patients and survivors develop a workout routine. In 2009, the American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine developed a special cancer-exercise certification for fitness professionals, so consider finding a trainer who holds such accreditation.
3. Know where to go. If you’re an adult cancer survivor, you may want to try the YMCA, which has teamed with the Livestrong organization to offer a 12-week exercise program for survivors in select communities nationwide. In the Boston area, cancer patients and survivors can turn to Dana-Farber for a no-cost exercise consultation for men and women, as well as weekly fitness classes for female patients.
4. Do what feels right. Tailor your routine to fit your specific cancer diagnosis and alter it depending on your interests – and on how you might feel when undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Gradually build your workout over time, and think about what types of exercise you most enjoy. For example, some people prefer to pursue a fitness routine on their own, while others may want the camaraderie of a group workout with other cancer patients and survivors.
5. Keep it up. Exercise can be immensely helpful after treatment, thanks to its ability to strengthen bones, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, and help maintain a healthy weight. In fact, a new study in the British Medical Journal reveals that breast cancer patients who exercised regularly after treatment had a lower body mass index, improved weight and blood sugar control, and better lower limb strength, compared to those who didn’t exercise. The exercise participants also reported less depression and fatigue, and an improved quality of life.
The bottom line: Although the idea of pursuing an exercise routine during cancer treatment may sound daunting, it’s worth your time. Getting started doesn’t take much effort, and the benefits can be significant.
Nancy Campbell, MS, is an exercise physiologist who offers fitness consults and classes to cancer patients and survivors through Dana-Farber’s Adult Survivorship Program.
I cannot agree more with what Nancy mentioned in the article. Cancer patients not only die with cancer recurrence. Exercising properly may prevent cancer recurrence, but also other diseases such as diabetes, heart attack and many joint problem etc. I really like Nancy’s approach with exercise program and how she teaches the class.
Even while in the hospital for long periods of time, I’d walk the pods at BWH otherwise I’d go nuts! One Dr. told me that if I’d keep that up, that after ( bone marrow) transplant I’d “hit the ground running”. The women’s exercise program after treatment at DFCI was wonderful. Never any pressure. Tailored to everyone’s particular levels of capabilities. All in all, a very encouraging environment.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I cried. I then began planning. I was lucky to get an appointment at Dana Farber with two brilliant doctors. While in my initial appointment I was asked if I wanted to take part in a novel study. I signed up! I was then introduced to Nancy Campbell. We met twice a week in the gym where she guided me through an exercise routine. The remainder of the week I walked everyday for at least thirty minutes and sometimes up to fourty-five minutes. I wore a heart monitor and calculated all my progress. I am so thankful Dana Farber offered this study. Taking part in this study not only helped me become more healthy and prepare me for surgery but it lifted my spirit and helped me maintain a positive state of mind.
The day after surgery I was up and walking. While in the hospital I was up walking every chance I got. It helped me feel better. After I left the hospital I began walking on the track in my town. I was walking a mile and a half a week out from surgery and since then up to three miles a day! Keeping my body moving has helped me heal faster and feel better quicker so much so I was able to return to work only six weeks after surgery. Doctors have also commented on how extraordinary my healing process has been. I am now looking forward to participating in DCFI after cancer exercise program with Nancy.
Nancy Campbell’s Exercise class for Women Survivors was the true beginning of my recovery. The treatment did its job, of course, but exercising regularly with the advice of a professional and the camaraderie of other women survivors put me on a healing path. I live on Cape Cod, but during my treatment, I never missed Nancy’s class. The strength and empowerment I derived from the class and the women in it continue to live within me today. I exercise almost every day; I belong to a fitness studio where I dance, spin, and do yoga; I walk and ride my bike on the Cape Cod Rail Trail; and lift weights whenever I can. A few months ago, in the heart of winter and a weight gain, I made the trip to Dana Farber to visit Nancy for a pep talk. The pep talk worked. I highly recommend exercise that, as Nancy says in her article, you will enjoy. Dance or yoga? Do it! Walk or bike? Do it! Lift weights in front of the TV? Do it! I’m healthier now than I was before my diagnosis, which was two years ago yesterday. JUST DO IT.
I remember my doctor (Ann Partridge) telling me during treatment, “I know you want to rest, but try to exercise when you can. It’s good for you and you’ll feel better.” After treatment I was lucky enough to participate in the DFCI Adult Survivorship Program, where I met Nancy Campbell. Nancy recommended an exercise routine tailored to my needs (including an arthritic knee). Later I joined her women’s exercise class, where, in addition to receiving individualized attention, patients and survivors get and stay fit in a room full of laughter and empathy. It was a huge help to me–both physically and mentally–after treatment.
I received my diagnosis of breast cancer nine months ago. recently, as I prepared to move on from radiation therapy, Susan Riendau, my nurse at DFCI, made the suggestion that I contact Nancy Campbell for a consultation. Susan put it this way: “Nancy is really nice and she’ll answer your email in 5 minutes”. Susan was absolutely correct on both counts. I met with Nancy in order to get some advice on how to put exercise back in my life. I had always been physically active and, in the months during and after surgery, chemo, and radiation, I maintained, stopped, and then gradually resumed activities like going to the gym, walking, taking the stairs, etc. I looked forward to the “fresh start” that a consultation with an exercise physiologist would bring. In our meeting, Nancy shared with me evidence-based information regarding the benefit that vigorous exercise could bring to my future as a survivor. She confirmed that keeping my weight down and engaging in regular exercise could help reduce my likelihood of a recurrence. And, as a previous blogger pointed out, these habits are also likely to have a positive impact on my health, overall. Nonetheless, the icing on the cake was learning that Nancy taught an exercise class for cancer patients! It has been years since I have had the opportunity to participate in group fitness and I was so pleased to know this option would be available to me. I have attended just one class and it was like coming home. The welcome extended to me by the existing members was immediately reassuring. Working out with others is invigorating in a way that solo fitness routines just can’t equal. Solo routines are great but, in my experience, they don’t include the “fun” and energy that come naturally from the shared experience. It is also so helpful to have a teacher. Nancy is very adept at creating a supportive environment, with the just the right amount of challenge, and simulaneously addressing individual needs. And, small world that we live in, a neighbor and I met in class, neither of us having known that the other had become a member of this “cancer fellowship” that we have all, unexpectedly, joined.
I am not quite ready to say that cancer has been a blessing in my life. But, surely, it has brought people like Nancy, and the members of her class, into my life and that has been a very good outcome.
I was so pleased to learn that Dana-Farber and FitCorp teamed up to offer a stretch & strengthen class to women. Nancy’s class offers instruction, support and social interaction for those undergoing treatment and post treatment. Having the guidance of a trained professional (with a great sense of humor and the ability to remember everyone’s name and situation) made this an extremely positive and helpful experience!
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I began a very successful 20 month treatment course. Early on, I learned of the Adult Survivorship program and was able to add exercise classes, either once or twice a week, into my schedule. I could workout before or after a scan or radiation. When I received my Fitcorp membership card and jumped on the stair climber, I knew I would be healthy again. I was able to use my medial “sabbatical” to lose weight and condition. This meant I could play tennis and take yoga classes while I was in treatment. I cannot say enough about how important this opportunity was for my wellness. I join others in applauding Nancy Campbell, Fitcorp, and those at DFCI who support the Survivorship program. When I am able to send my friend, who is in treatment now, to the program,I know I am helping them on their path to wellness.
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2010 and had to start chemo immediately to attempt to reduce the size of a tumor to make it operable. I was an avid runner and fitness prior to diagnosis and after 6 weeks of treatment and doing no exercise was feeling lethargic and muscles were looking like spaghetti. Through the Zakim Centre, I was introduced to Nancy Campbell and although her classes were advertised as for “survivors”, she kindly allowed me to become part of the program. I expected to be able to pick up from where I left off but after 6 weeks of chemo (weekly treatments) and doing nothing, I was certainly in a weakened state. Through advice from Nancy and attending her classes, I was able to slowly regain strength, to the point that when I had surgery on July 18, I was in much better shape, both physically and mentally! Two weeks after surgery, I was back in the gym with Nancy’s class and building back up to running while returning to the weekly chemo treatments. I returned to Bermuda (home) in September and although not up for marathons, in good shape to return to work.
The benefits of exercise cannot be ignored….for me these were both during treatment, surviving major surgery and beyond. Nancy’s approach and the camaraderie among the group of incredible women are major factors. There could be 20 women in the room, all at different levels of treatment and fitness but everyone worked at their personal level with encouragement and often humor.
I am still running every day and training 5 days a week. I ran a 5K race in February in 26’51” beating 60% of the field, many of whom were half my age! Not Olypmic standards, but very cool considering the year before. Sometimes I feel that I met Nancy “by accident” at the Zakim centre, but the fitness program definitely made me a “survivor”!
Two years ago, towards the end of tx for breast cancer (and three breast surgeries) I met Nancy Campbell for a personal exercise therapy appointment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. In Nancy and her program at Dana Farber and Fitcorp, I met a kind, caring and very knowledgeable soul! Not only did I find her very smart and professional, she is also personable and patient, taking the time to go over every question I had and spent some very quality time going over exercises that would help me in my physical recovery and further strengthen me as I healed in a manner that was safe for me. I attended her Friday exercise class at Fitcorp (also such a fun and wonderful support group!) and I highly recommend it to all of you reading this today! This group under Nancy’s guidance is balm for your body, mind and soul. Now two years later, almost to the date, I am still doing the same exercises Nancy taught me at Fitcorp, only now incorporated into my yoga routine every morning. It’s not the same as seeing Nancy weekly and being with such supportive and wonderful cancer patients and survivors, but she helped empower me in such a positive manner that I plan on continuing the good work she started in me for a very long time! If I didn’t live over an hour away I would attend her classes twice a week just to be in the atmosphere of healing that she provides. Thank you Nancy for keeping up such a great work for us all!