Get moving: Cancer survivors urged to exercise
New medical guidelines for cancer survivors urge them to exercise more, even for cancer patients who are not yet finished with treatment. (L. Neergaard, AP Medical, 6/29). These guidelines take into account growing evidence that “physical activity improves quality of life and eases some cancer-related fatigue… [and] can help fend off a serious decline in physical function that can last long after therapy is finished.”
For example, a UAB Medical center doctor confirms that “in one year, women who needed chemotherapy for their breast cancer can see a swapping of muscle for fat that's equivalent to 10 years of normal aging.” Thus, physical activity is essential post chemotherapy treatments.
Moreover, “among the nation's nearly 12 million cancer survivors, there are hints - although not yet proof - that people who are more active may lower risk of a recurrence. And like everyone who ages, the longer cancer survivors live, the higher their risk for heart disease that exercise definitely fights.” In short, the benefits of light physical activity, walking the dog or playing golf, for example, are immense, and as a personal injury and medical negligence attorney in Chicago, I am hopeful that everyone, especially cancer patients, get outside this summer and exercise.
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