It should come as no surprise that regular physical activity is a crucial part of any health and wellness regimen. Studies upon studies confirm that exercise provides a wide range of benefits, from maintaining optimal weight to building muscle to boosting cardiovascular function and the immune system’s defense.
When you have cancer—or any other chronic, long-term illness—the last thing you may be in the mood for is exercise. Whether you are tired, busy or just not feeling well, the motivation to get moving may be lacking. But I’m here to share how physical activity is an integral part of your recovery, as much as any treatment, nutrient or detoxification program.
Exercise for cancer prevention and treatment
It’ s shocking to me that conventional oncologists don ’t typically encourage their patients to engage in regular physical activity. Exercise is literally medicine for your body, and it plays an important role not only in preventing cancer but in fighting it as well. As the National Cancer Institute emphasizes, exercise during treatment is safe and beneficial for most people.
Research also shows that people with breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian and prostate cancers who exercise regularly after a cancer diagnosis have longer lifespans and a reduced risk of cancer recurrence. If you have breast or colon cancer, listen up! In people with these types of cancers, those who exercise have half the relapse rates of those who don ’t. Simply
