The Power of Exercise in Cancer Treatment
Scientific exercise improves immunity and quality of life – accompanying you throughout the treatment process
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Why Exercise Matters During Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment brings not only physical but also emotional and lifestyle challenges. Many patients believe they should “rest more” during treatment, but modern science proves the opposite: appropriate, structured exercise enhances treatment effectiveness, reduces side effects, and improves survival rates (Courneya & Friedenreich, 2011). For Hong Kong patients, exercise is not an optional lifestyle choice—it is a critical therapeutic strategy on par with medication.
How Exercise Supports the Immune System
- Myokines and anti-cancer effects: Exercise stimulates muscle release of myokines such as irisin and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These substances have anti-tumor effects, activating natural killer (NK) cells and strengthening the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells (Pedersen & Febbraio, 2012).
- Improved survival: Meta-analyses show regular exercise reduces breast cancer mortality by 30–40%. Overall cancer patients gain ~5% improved survival—similar to the benefit of frontline chemotherapy (Holmes et al., 2005).
- Reduced treatment side effects: Exercise improves digestion, protein absorption, and the recovery of red blood cells and immune cells (Schmitz et al., 2010). It also alleviates cancer-related fatigue, improves sleep, and lowers anxiety, helping patients return to daily life more smoothly (Mustian et al., 2017).
Exercise Guidelines by Treatment Stage
During Treatment
- Surgery:
- Pre-surgery: walking or stair climbing boosts lung and heart function.
- Post-surgery: early mobilization (walking) supports bowel movement and wound healing.
- Chemotherapy/Radiation:
- Light activity (5,000–8,000 steps/day) plus resistance training with bands or light weights is safe and beneficial.
- Avoid exercise if: white blood cells < 2,000/mm³, platelets < 50,000/mm³, hemoglobin < 10 g/dl, fever, or irregular heartbeat (NCCN, 2023).
Recovery Phase
After treatment, exercise is key to preventing recurrence. WHO (2020) recommends:
- Aerobic exercise: at least 150 minutes/week of brisk walking, cycling, jogging, swimming, tai chi, or yoga.
- Resistance training: 2 days/week with dumbbells (0.5–1 kg), resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises (planks, bridges, squats).
- Studies show that combining aerobic and resistance exercise regulates blood sugar, hormones, and inflammation, significantly lowering recurrence risk (Ballard-Barbash et al., 2012).
Practical Tips for Hong Kong Patients
- Start small: Begin with a 10-minute daily walk, then increase gradually.
- Safety first: Patients with reduced bone density after chemo should avoid high-impact exercises. Water-based training or resistance bands are safer.
- Work with physiotherapists: Essential for those with surgery, bone metastasis, or neuropathy.
- Manage lymphedema risk: Breast cancer survivors with lymph node removal should wear compression garments during activity.
- Use available spaces: Take advantage of parks, community centers, and cancer support groups offering tailored exercise programs.
The Future: Exercise Oncology in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s public hospitals and private cancer centers are increasingly integrating Exercise Oncology into treatment programs (Hospital Authority, 2022). With growing clinical evidence, exercise is no longer just “supportive”—it is a treatment-level intervention. Patients should treat exercise as a daily prescription, alongside medication, nutrition, and psychological care.
Conclusion
For cancer patients, exercise is not optional—it is a powerful treatment tool. It strengthens immunity, reduces fatigue, minimizes side effects, and improves survival. When fatigue strikes, remember: “Every step is a step toward recovery and a stronger future.”
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References
- Ballard-Barbash, R., Friedenreich, C. M., Courneya, K. S., Siddiqi, S. M., McTiernan, A., & Alfano, C. M. (2012). Physical activity, biomarkers, and disease outcomes in cancer survivors: A systematic review. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 104(11), 815–840.
- Courneya, K. S., & Friedenreich, C. M. (2011). Physical activity and cancer: An introduction. Recent Results in Cancer Research, 186, 1–10.
- Holmes, M. D., Chen, W. Y., Feskanich, D., Kroenke, C. H., & Colditz, G. A. (2005). Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. JAMA, 293(20), 2479–2486.
- Mustian, K. M., Alfano, C. M., Heckler, C., Kleckner, A. S., Kleckner, I. R., Leach, C. R., … & Miller, S. M. (2017). Comparison of pharmaceutical, psychological, and exercise treatments for cancer-related fatigue: A meta-analysis. JAMA Oncology, 3(7), 961–968.
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). (2023). NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Survivorship.
- Pedersen, B. K., & Febbraio, M. A. (2012). Muscles, exercise and obesity: Skeletal muscle as a secretory organ. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 8(8), 457–465.
- World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: WHO.