A new study suggests that doctors should prescribe exercise to cancer patients undergoing treatment to counter the side effects of therapies. The research, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, compiled data from 80 systematic reviews, emphasizing the positive impact of physical activity on cancer patients' well-being. The study revealed that exercise can reduce side effects linked to cancer treatment, improve mental well-being, promote sleep, manage obesity, lower body fat, and improve lean body mass. It can also regulate key health indicators such as insulin and inflammation markers.
The research team discovered that various types of exercise can significantly enhance sleep quality, reduce insomnia, alleviate anxiety and depression, and improve overall quality of life for people with cancer. Exercise was also found to improve physiological and social function, including body strength, aerobic capacity, and social well-being. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), aerobic exercise, and resistance exercise were identified to notably alleviate cancer-related fatigue and pain, enhance social functionality, and increase the likelihood of returning to work.
The study emphasized the critical importance of incorporating exercise into cancer treatment protocols and called for more research to further refine which types of exercise could be beneficial for different types of cancer. The research concluded that exercise mitigates adverse outcomes associated with cancer and its treatments, enhances psychological well-being, and improves quality of life for people with cancer.
Commenting on the study, Celene Doherty, a specialist cancer information nurse at Cancer Research UK, highlighted the significance of exercise in reducing side effects from cancer treatment and improving long-term health. She also advised cancer patients to take things at their own pace and seek advice or support from their cancer care team.