This FoundMyFitness video features an interview with Dr. Kerry Courneya, PhD, discussing the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of exercise in cancer prevention and treatment. The discussion covers various aspects, from the type and intensity of exercise to the underlying biological mechanisms and the integration of exercise into existing cancer care.
Exercise Reduces Cancer Risk: Regular exercise, particularly moderate to vigorous intensity, significantly lowers the risk of several cancers, including colon, breast, and endometrial cancers. Even for smokers and obese individuals, exercise provides benefits. The more exercise, the better the risk reduction, up to approximately 300 minutes per week.
Pre-diagnosis Exercise Matters: Engaging in exercise before a cancer diagnosis can positively influence outcomes, potentially leading to less aggressive cancers, earlier-stage detection, or even delaying the onset of the disease. This is viewed as prehabilitation for potential future health challenges.
Exercise Improves Cancer Treatment Outcomes: Exercise helps manage treatment side effects like fatigue, improves sleep quality, and enhances treatment tolerance, leading to greater completion rates of chemotherapy and radiation. It also shows promise in improving survival rates and reducing recurrence.
Muscle Mass is Crucial: Low muscle mass is a critical factor in cancer recurrence and mortality. Resistance training is vital for building and maintaining muscle mass, especially during and after cancer treatment. BMI is an inadequate measure of overall health; lean body mass is a more crucial indicator.
Mechanisms of Action: Exercise benefits cancer patients through various mechanisms: improved blood flow (sheer stress), enhanced immune system function (targeting circulating tumor cells), metabolic regulation (glucose uptake), and anti-inflammatory effects. However, exercise is not a panacea, and some studies suggest it might exacerbate certain tumor types or symptoms in some individuals.
