Woman’s Weekly Living Series – July 2019

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We know exercise

and activity can help

prevent cancer, but it is also

a really important aspect

of cancer treatment and

recovery. In the past, doctors

have advised their patients

to rest and avoid activity,

but new guidelines from

Macmillan state exercise is

perfectly safe for people with

cancer and for those having

chemo and radiotherapy.

Exercising during and after

cancer treatment can help

with muscle loss, weight

changes, fatigue, nausea,

bone-density loss and

lymphoedema and can

significantly improve quality

of life, social interaction,

low mood and anxiety.

Illness, bed rest and

inactivity all have a

significant negative effect

on your body. While it might

seem logical to rest when

you’re sick, it’s not the best

treatment and could do you

more harm in the long run.

Doctors estimate

that 10 days

spent on bed

rest is the

equivalent of 10

years of muscle

loss and ageing. Bed rest

needs to be avoided; it will

prevent physical decline

for long-term recovery.

While some cancers are

linked to genetics, many

cancers are preventable.

Cancer Research UK

(cancerresearchuk.org)

estimate that around 40%

of cancers can be prevented

by not smoking, maintaining

a healthy weight, eating a

balanced diet and avoiding

alcohol. However, being

active and exercising is one

of your most powerful

weapons against cancer.

FITNESS

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We know from

research that cancer

patients typically become

less active after their

treatment – a time when

you may feel physically

and mentally spent.

However, getting moving

will help build your body

confidence, aid your

physical recovery and

mental wellbeing. Chemo-

and radiotherapy can leave

you with long-term fatigue

and side effects such as

lymphoedema or

neuropathy and you may

lose muscle or gain weight.

Things may not be the

same as they were before,

but try to think about the

things you can do, not what

you can’t. Be resilient,

resourceful and flexible

and keep an open mind.

Take action:

If you’ve had breast surgery,

exercises for the upper body,

chest and arms will help you

regain strength and flexibility.

Ask your breast-cancer

nurse, or find exercises at

breastcancercare.org.uk.

Gentle tummy workouts

after any kind of abdominal

surgery, whether it was

gynaecological or bowel

surgery, are important to

rebuild your strength. Start

with gentle moves – simple

contractions of the tummy

muscles and pelvic floor,

knee rolls and pelvic tilts.

If you’ve had bowel

surgery and have a

colostomy bag, the Me+

Recovery Programme is for

people with a stoma. Visit

convatec.co.uk/meplus.

What to watch:

If you develop any unusual

joint or muscle pain, speak

to your GP or oncologist.

If you have lymphoedema,

then be sure to wear your

compression sleeve while

doing exercise.

you for support and try to
increase your distance each
time – start with 10 minutes
and gradually build it up.
If you’re having chemo, you
may find your energy levels
improve towards the end of
the cycle. So take advantage
of feeling a little better and
do slightly more at that stage.

What to watch:

During chemotherapy

your immunity may be

lowered, making you

more prone to infection,

so avoid public gyms

and swimming pools if

you feel that increases

your risk. Speak to your

oncologist for advice.

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CanCer & exerCise...

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After treatment

Latest

research

Studies have shown that being

physically active can reduce your

risk of developing breast cancer

by 20% and bowel cancer by up to

50%. There are no guarantees, but

the advice is simple – try to avoid

a sedentary lifestyle. Always talk

to your GP before starting a

new fitness regime.