By Admin at 15 Feb 2017, 14:51 PM

The benefits of exercise for cancer survivors and early-stage patients are well established. Less clear is whether the benefits extend to people suffering from advanced stages of the disease, but new research presented at the 2017 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, California suggests they do.

Among more than 1,200 advanced colon cancer patients, those who exercised moderately for at least five hours a week had a 25 percent lower risk of early death. Those who exercised for four hours or more per week lowered the risk by 20 percent.

The findings suggest that as little as 30 minutes of moderate activity, including walking, gardening or house cleaning, could significantly improve survival outcomes. Those who engaged in such activity even experienced a 16 percent decrease in disease progression.

The benefits were primarily seen for moderate-intensity activity and did not appear to extend to more strenuous vigorous activity such as running.

People with advanced colorectal cancer may have difficulty engaging in physical activity, especially vigorous activity, so the study results are particularly encouraging because they found a benefit at an attainable activity level. Nancy Baxter, MD of the University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital said in a statement:

"Physical activity can be difficult for patients with advanced colorectal cancer, but this study shows that even a small amount of exercise may make a big difference … It's important to help our patients find ways to incorporate moderate exercise into their daily lives — regardless of the stage of their disease."

It’s important to discuss what types of exercise are best for you with your doctor and care team, and your program will depend on your goals, fitness level and stamina. An exercise specialist, physical therapist or exercise physiologist who specializes in cancer patients can help design an exercise routine that’s appropriate and safe for you.

Keep in mind that moderate activity is about the exertion level of a brisk walk, and it may not be advantageous to push yourself beyond this level of intensity. You may find, however, that a daily walk or yoga session improves your physical and emotional symptoms.

Separate research has revealed a number of ways exercise may help, even during cancer treatment, including by reducing fatigue and nausea and improving balance, muscle strength and self-esteem.

“[W]hile exercise is by no means a substitute for chemotherapy,” Brendan J. Guercio, MD of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and the featured study’s lead author said, “patients can experience a wide range of benefits from as little as 30 minutes of exercise a day.”

Sources:
UPI January 17, 2017|
MedPage Today January 17, 2017

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