Life-Cise - Fitness for Survivors

INTRODUCTION:

Exercise because you have cancer!
You are in a fight. Train for it.
In this fight you will need endurance,
you will need focus,
you will need to be strong and stay strong.

Cancer survivors face many challenges. Staying active and strong can be difficult, but there are tremendous benefits from exercise during all phases of cancer treatment.

• Fight fatigue
• Reduce anxiety
• Enhance your feeling of control
• Sleep better
• Maintain a healthy weight

• Fight osteoporosis
• Improve your fitness before surgery
• Regain full range of motion after surgery
• Improve mobility and stability

Recent studies show exercise can improve your quality of life, increase strength, and may improve immune function. Whatever your current fitness level, you can get in better shape to prepare for surgery, feel better and stay strong throughout chemotherapy and radiation, and regain your strength after treatment is finished.

Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, happiness, and several components of quality of life (physical, functional, and emotional) in cancer survivors. – CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, “Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: an American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices”, CA Cancer J Clin, 2003;53, p.272. or view online version at http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/53/5/268

Note: It is important to talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program.