If you have stage IV colon cancer, whether exercise is beneficial at this time depends on your personal expectations. The benefits of exercise are well-documented in all populations, including those with cancer. However, exercise therapy goals range from cancer symptom management to lowering recurrence rates, and they vary with regard to the type, as well as the stage, of a particular cancer.
Stage IV Colon Cancer
Medical experts recognize stage IV colon cancer as that which has spread, or metastasized, from the colon to other distant sites, such as the lungs or liver. If the distant metastases are small, this increases the likelihood of continued survival. Surgery alone is unlikely to cure stage IV colon cancer; however, surgery in combination with chemotherapy and other targeted therapies, such as radiation, can lead to a cure in some cases. Unfortunately, though, interventions at this stage of colon cancer are generally focused on prolonging survival and increasing quality of life. Most cases of stage IV colon cancer cannot be cured.
Exercise and Colon Cancer
Studies on the effects of exercise on colon cancer survival rates reveal that the potential for benefit does exist, in both the early and late stages of the disease. Patients who exercise regularly after a diagnosis of colon cancer may lower their risk of recurrence and death by 40 to 50 percent, as compared to patients who are inactive following diagnosis. This statistic, however, doesn't apply to those patients with distant metastases that have been diagnosed as stage IV colon cancer. For these patients, the disease is too far advanced for exercise to be measurably beneficial as regards a cure.
Stage IV: Realistic Exercise Expectations
Although adding regular exercise to stage IV colon cancer intervention is not likely to result in a cure, if you have a terminal diagnosis of the disease, you can still benefit from regular physical activity. Exercise benefits during cancer treatment include a reduction in fatigue and an improvement in self-esteem. Physical activity can also lessen the anxiety, depression and stress associated with terminal diagnoses, allowing you to live the duration of your life to the fullest. Exercise can also help to alleviate pain, and increase your overall ability to function physically, thereby increasing the length of time you are able to care for yourself without the assistance of others.
When Risks Outweigh Potential Benefits
Although regular exercise can provide several important benefits throughout the course of your disease and its treatment, there are times when it is contraindicated. Certain cancer treatments may result in an increased risk of bleeding, infection and anemia, all of which can result in profound fatigue. It's important to avoid exerting yourself during these times, to avoid injuring yourself and overtaxing your body. Also, take it easy if you're experiencing diarrhea and vomiting as a result of treatment. Dehydration can lead to mineral imbalances, making further loss of water during exercise dangerous. Treatment can also put stress on your heart and lungs, placing you at risk for cardiovascular and respiratory damage during exercise. Your doctor will discuss all of these contraindications with you at the time of your diagnosis. If you're unsure if you should be exercising, always consult with your doctor first.
