Cancer is incredibly debilitating in itself, and treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can cause severe fatigue;
Anemia – This is a condition where there aren’t enough red blood cells in the body, so the body has to work much harder to supply oxygen to organs and tissues. This in turn causes severe fatigue. Some cancers of the blood and bone cause anemia, as do treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Nausea and diet – many cancers, as well as their treatments, can cause nausea, weight loss and a lack of appetite. If someone isn’t eating well, they will automatically feel more tired, particularly if the body is already fighting illness.
Less active – the less active someone is, the less likely they are to feel like exercising yet, paradoxically, the effect of exercise on the body makes someone feel less tired.
How exercise can help prevent cancer.
Much research has been undertaken into how exercise can help not only those suffering from cancer, but also in the prevention of some cancers
Accurate studies have shown convincing evidence between physical activity and a lower risk of two of the most common cancers, colon cancer and breast cancer, as well as several other cancers including endometrial cancer (womb lining), prostate cancer, and mesothelioma cancer. In fact, the link between exercise and colon cancer is one of the most greatly researched across the world, with the findings that adults who increase their physical activity reduce their risk of colon cancer by a huge thirty percent.
Similarly, extensive research has looked at the link between physical activity and breast cancer. Although a link has been established, it’s not as definitive as that between colon cancer and exercise, with benefits varying from a 20 percent reduced risk to 80 percent reduced risk.
How exercise can benefit people with cancer? Often, people with cancer are encouraged by family and friends to ‘take it easy’. However, exercise has shown to be of great benefit for the following reasons:
- Pain relief through the release of endorphins
- Increases energy and strength, lifts mood and promotes better sleep
- Increases illness fighting white blood cells
- Boosts immune system
- Reduces time spent in hospital
Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.
