Why Exercise During Cancer Treatment?
Cancer is something that can derail your life in an extreme way. The diagnosis alone is challenging enough mentally. Whether someone is diagnosed with breast cancer or rare mesothelioma, doctors end up taking over all of your time with treatment and medication. When you are trying to get your life back on track after treatment or when you are in the middle of treatment and desperate to be thinking of something else, consider how fitness and exercise can help you.
The National Cancer Institute states that there is suggestive evidence that point to exercise being linked to progression-free survival in colorectal cancer and breast cancer. While there is no direct evidence that supports this, the evidence is compelling that exercise does help. There are a number of different types of exercise that are recommended, but at the end of the day, the sum argument seems to be that any kind of movement is good for you. Think about what role exercise could play in your recovery and what it could mean for you.
In the first place, it is essential to find a kind of movement that you are going to enjoy and welcome. Exercise, especially daily exercise, is not easy, and sticking to the schedule can be hard at first. Some people do very well simply by going to the gym every few days and walking on the treadmill. On the other hand, other people need to make something a habit by doing it every day and doing the exact same thing over and over again. Find the mode that works best for you and stick with it.
One way to start up an exercise program that you will stick with is by getting someone to do it with you. Get a friend who will keep you motivated and who will make sure that you are in a good place to go every day. You can do the same for your friend by motivating them when they are having an off day. You may simply take an exercise class together or you might only walk around the park together; every little bit does help, and you’ll discover that this is something that you have control over. It is something that you can do on your own terms, not subject to your doctor’s schedule or your own fears.
Exercise is a way to take joy in your body again, which is something that can be very hard when you are dealing with moving forward after cancer. After cancer, people feel as though their bodies are untrustworthy or that they have been betrayed by their bodies. Learn to take control of your body again and learn how to make it work for you. This can be an integral part of your healing.
