Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. Not only can it improve your weight, energy, mood and sleep, but regular physical activity is also known to combat many chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and even osteoporosis. No matter your age, weight or gender, it's hard to deny that you can benefit from exercise. Yet some questions still remain surrounding exercise and lung cancer.
Exercise
In the past, many physicians recommended getting as much rest as possible during the treatment process for most types of cancer, including lung cancer. Resting was a way to preserve the strength and energy needed by the body to battle this disease. However, a newsletter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dispels this myth, stating that patients and survivors of cancer should strive to get the same amount of exercise as people without this disease.
Features
The recommended amount of physical activity is roughly 150 cumulative minutes of moderately intense exercise each week. That works out to only 30 minutes five days a week. Biking, swimming and walking all fall within this categorization. Increasing the intensity of the exercise, however, reduces the amount of recommended time, according to the National Cancer Institute. If you engage in vigorous activity, you can reduce your time spent exercising to 20 minutes three or more days a week. But talk to your doctor before changing your level of physical activity. He may have other suggestions to improve your health while being treated for lung cancer.
Effects
Just like anyone else, cancer patients and survivors can see an improvement in mood and energy with regular physical activity. Exercise may also prevent muscle wasting as a result of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy or hormone therapy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Quality of life is known to improve as well.
Prevention
Exercise isn't only beneficial during and after treatment in lung cancer. It may also play a role in preventing the disease, even in people who currently smoke. A study reported by the "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention" shows that female smokers can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by 65 percent when taking part in moderate activity. This number increases to 72 percent in those women with high physical activity levels.
Recommendation
The preventive effects of exercise on lung cancer don't negate the need to quit. Quitting smoking is by far the most beneficial method of preventing this disease. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor. Medical professionals can recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: To Best Fight Cancer, New Guidelines Urge Exercise
- "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention"; The Association of Physical Activity with Lung Cancer Incidence in a Cohort of Older Women: The Iowa Women's Health Study
- National Cancer Institute: Physical Activity and Lung Cancer
- Mayo Clinic: Lung Cancer
- United Press International: Exercise May Benefit Lung Cancer Patients
