If anyone else who reads my blog wants to share their thoughts also, don't hesitate to ask (as long as its appropriate ahahah )
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It used to be that doctors were concerned about cancer patients exercising. Doctors didn’t want patients facing chemotherapy, radiation, or recovering from cancer surgery to wear their bodies out more than the disease already was. Doctors have changed their minds about whether those who are going through treatment or those recently in remission should exercise, and the new data suggests that most doctors see many benefits to cancer patients by improving their fitness level.
When people who are not ill begin to exercise, there are mental and emotional benefits besides physical benefits. When a person who has not exercised goes from walking one mile in 15 minutes to running three miles 25 minutes, there is a sense of accomplishment that benefits the exerciser. This same benefit is there for cancer patients. A cancer patient who exercises regularly can gain a sense of accomplishment that can combat the feeling that his or hers body is letting them down. By lifting weights or walking on a treadmill, or doing whatever exercise they feel like doing, a cancer patient gains confidence that their bodies still function. Additionally, when someone who is not sick gets regular exercise his or her overall attitude improves as the exercise allows a stress outlet. If there is anyone who needs to “burn” off stress, it is a cancer patient. Regular exercise improves people’s outlook on life, gives them more energy, and helps them sleep better. These are things that help a cancer patient feel better as they receive treatments and as they recover from treatments.
Several cancers show an increased life expectancy when they add exercise to their treatment or recovery. Those patients diagnosed with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer—such as mesothelioma, as well as other cancers, respond well to exercise. The better shape the cancer patient was in before diagnosis and treatment, the more vigorous the exercise regime can be. However, even if the patient had been relatively sedentary prior to the cancer diagnosis, exercising can be beneficial.
As with anyone who is going to embark on an exercise routine, cancer patients need to contact their doctor before beginning. Doctors can help patients decide when to begin an exercise program and how hard to exercise. A cancer patient doesn’t want to overdo it in the beginning and make themselves weak. Their doctor can assist in deciding how hard to begin exercising and when to increase the amount of effort and time spent exercising.
Just because a patient has cancer doesn’t mean that an active life has to wait until treatments are over. In fact, exercise can be a valuable tool in recovery by helping with mood, energy, and sleep.
When people who are not ill begin to exercise, there are mental and emotional benefits besides physical benefits. When a person who has not exercised goes from walking one mile in 15 minutes to running three miles 25 minutes, there is a sense of accomplishment that benefits the exerciser. This same benefit is there for cancer patients. A cancer patient who exercises regularly can gain a sense of accomplishment that can combat the feeling that his or hers body is letting them down. By lifting weights or walking on a treadmill, or doing whatever exercise they feel like doing, a cancer patient gains confidence that their bodies still function. Additionally, when someone who is not sick gets regular exercise his or her overall attitude improves as the exercise allows a stress outlet. If there is anyone who needs to “burn” off stress, it is a cancer patient. Regular exercise improves people’s outlook on life, gives them more energy, and helps them sleep better. These are things that help a cancer patient feel better as they receive treatments and as they recover from treatments.
Several cancers show an increased life expectancy when they add exercise to their treatment or recovery. Those patients diagnosed with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer—such as mesothelioma, as well as other cancers, respond well to exercise. The better shape the cancer patient was in before diagnosis and treatment, the more vigorous the exercise regime can be. However, even if the patient had been relatively sedentary prior to the cancer diagnosis, exercising can be beneficial.
As with anyone who is going to embark on an exercise routine, cancer patients need to contact their doctor before beginning. Doctors can help patients decide when to begin an exercise program and how hard to exercise. A cancer patient doesn’t want to overdo it in the beginning and make themselves weak. Their doctor can assist in deciding how hard to begin exercising and when to increase the amount of effort and time spent exercising.
Just because a patient has cancer doesn’t mean that an active life has to wait until treatments are over. In fact, exercise can be a valuable tool in recovery by helping with mood, energy, and sleep.
David
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