Improving Health after Cancer Treatment
Fortunately, many cancer patients are able to lead healthy lives after treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, cancer survivors can improve their health and lives by engaging in regular exercise. The benefits of exercise are the same whether a person has had cancer or not. Exercise helps keep the body healthy and strong. For cancer survivor, exercise becomes an important part of life.
Many doctors recommend an exercise program to their cancer patients after treatment. A misconception is you must exercise rigorously. However, according to the American Cancer Society exercising for 30 minutes five days per week will greatly improve a cancer patient's healthy. In addition, the exercise program can be as simply as walking or riding a bike. All cancer survivors should follow recommendations by their doctor before beginning an exercise program. This goes for people with cancers with low survival rates like pleural mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer, to cancers with higher survival rates like testicular cancer and breast cancer. It is recommended that these patients begin slowly to increase their physical activity. For example, a patient can walk for five minutes each day. As his or her physical stamina improves, he or she can increase the increment to 10 minutes.
The greatest benefit exercise provides for cancer survivors are it decreases the recovery time. Adding an exercise program promotes healing. Exercise increases the blood flow in the body. In addition, it will increase red cell production. Red cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the body's tissues. The healthier a person's circulation of red blood cells the healthier a person’s body becomes. This is true whether a person has survived cancer or just wants to become healthier.
Once cancer patients begin an exercise program, they will experience increased endurance and physical strength. As their strength improves, they can add additional activities to their exercise program. One of the immediate benefits of exercise is it relieves symptoms related to depression. This important benefit helps cancer patients return to a normal healthy life. Cancer survivors develop a tremendous amount of anxiety that the cancer may return. Exercise relieves this anxiety and promotes a positive attitude toward life. For cancer survivors attitude is crucial to surviving this disease. According to Mayo Clinic, studies demonstrate exercise may reduce the risk and recurrence of cancer.
Increasing physical activity does not mean a person has to join a gym or take exercise classes. Instead of taking the elevator, a person can take the stairs. Even a stroll in the park is beneficial. As long as the physical activity is done on a regular schedule, the benefits are tremendous.
Many doctors recommend an exercise program to their cancer patients after treatment. A misconception is you must exercise rigorously. However, according to the American Cancer Society exercising for 30 minutes five days per week will greatly improve a cancer patient's healthy. In addition, the exercise program can be as simply as walking or riding a bike. All cancer survivors should follow recommendations by their doctor before beginning an exercise program. This goes for people with cancers with low survival rates like pleural mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer, to cancers with higher survival rates like testicular cancer and breast cancer. It is recommended that these patients begin slowly to increase their physical activity. For example, a patient can walk for five minutes each day. As his or her physical stamina improves, he or she can increase the increment to 10 minutes.
The greatest benefit exercise provides for cancer survivors are it decreases the recovery time. Adding an exercise program promotes healing. Exercise increases the blood flow in the body. In addition, it will increase red cell production. Red cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the body's tissues. The healthier a person's circulation of red blood cells the healthier a person’s body becomes. This is true whether a person has survived cancer or just wants to become healthier.
Once cancer patients begin an exercise program, they will experience increased endurance and physical strength. As their strength improves, they can add additional activities to their exercise program. One of the immediate benefits of exercise is it relieves symptoms related to depression. This important benefit helps cancer patients return to a normal healthy life. Cancer survivors develop a tremendous amount of anxiety that the cancer may return. Exercise relieves this anxiety and promotes a positive attitude toward life. For cancer survivors attitude is crucial to surviving this disease. According to Mayo Clinic, studies demonstrate exercise may reduce the risk and recurrence of cancer.
Increasing physical activity does not mean a person has to join a gym or take exercise classes. Instead of taking the elevator, a person can take the stairs. Even a stroll in the park is beneficial. As long as the physical activity is done on a regular schedule, the benefits are tremendous.
Patients also turn to other forms of support like speaking with family member or other people with the same types of cancer. There are support groups for most types of cancers including mesothelioma support groups.
Exercise is proven to provide many health benefits including mental clarity and self-esteem. Anyone can benefit by increasing his or her physical activity. However, for cancer survivors, exercise can reduce their risk of the return of the disease. In addition, it helps improve the quality of life.
Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.
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