Cancer survival has doubled over the past 40 years.
Activity and exercise provides everyone with a powerful mechanism for best coping with, and overcoming, a diagnosis.
Before treatment.
Exercise positively prepares one’s body to better deal with the negative physiological effects. This is commonly known as “pre-hab.”
During treatment.
Exercise improves overall physical capabilities, general well-being, and is beneficial for weight loss / management: A healthy weight helps lessen the severity of the side effects of treatments.
It also carries huge psychological benefits; boosting mental strength, resilience, belief, and confidence.
| Side effects of treatment | Benefits of exercise |
|---|---|
| Fatigue | Elevates energy levels |
| Depression | Improves mood and general frame of mind |
| Loss of muscle / strength | Improves strength / reverses effects of muscle loss |
| Low immune system | Increases natural killer cells and white blood cells |
| Swelling | Reduces swelling |
| Self esteem | Improves self belief and confidence |
| Neuropathy | Lessens effects by improving efficiency of nerves |
| Lymphodeoma | Encourages lymphatic drainage |
| Lack of mobility | Improves range of motion and posture |
After treatment.
- Decreases risk of re-occurrence and mortality.
- Increases daily well-being and future quality of life.
- Improves frame of mind and control of emotions.
- Offers social interaction and a reason to get “out and about.”
- Helps balance the bodies hormones; particularly those associated with re-occurrence. (Insulin. Testosterone. Oestrogen).