Chemo & Exercise

Cancer is a serious illness, one that affects both you and your family if you are afflicted. Chemotherapy is a common method of treatment, though it takes quite a toll on those treated. Exercise can help fight the negative effects of chemo and help strengthen your body against the stresses of cancer.

Fight the Fatigue

• Chemotherapy, in a sense, intentionally damages your body in order to target cancerous cells. This is positive because it helps defeat cancer, but it often leaves those treated feeling incredibly fatigued, to the extent that even rest does not offer respite. It would seem odd then that exercise would help with such a lack of energy, but most doctors will recommend an exercise regimen for patients undergoing chemo. Simple exercise, such as taking a walk around the block, or lightweight strength training can help fight the fatigue of chemo treatment.

Designing a Program

• Cancer manifests it self in many forms, as does chemo, so it's key to contact your doctor before you undertake any type of exercise. Obviously, light exercise such as walking is acceptable, but heavier exercise such as jogging, cycling or swimming should be asked about first.

  The key to starting exercise during chemo is to start with short, low-intensity workouts at least three times a week. As you continue to exercise and strengthen, you can lengthen the duration of your exercises and increase how often you exercise in a week. Make sure that as you change your program, you keep your doctor informed as to what you are doing.

Reap the Mental Benefits

• Good mental health is key to fighting any type of sickness, cancer included. Exercise has been shown to improve happiness and mental strength in cancer patients. It gives a sense of well-being and responsibility often lacking in cancer patients. Cancer is one of the toughest illnesses to beat, and knowledge of that can be stressful. Exercise, though, restores a sense of strength, as patients feel like they are actively combating the foe that is cancer.