Staying physically active during cancer treatment can help alleviate numerous side effects.
A new study led by Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers shows that 75% of people with cancer reported reducing their physical activity following their diagnosis, and that this lower activity often persisted for a year or more. Though the results are not entirely surprising, according to postdoctoral research fellow Sally Romero, the study’s first author, the data emphasize the need for new methods to get patients up and moving as they go through treatment and beyond.
We spoke with Dr. Romero and Jun Mao, Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at MSK, for more on the findings and the relationship between exercise and cancer.
Drop-off after Cancer Diagnosis
As part of the study, Dr. Romero analyzed results from a survey of 662 cancer patients designed and conducted by Dr. Mao in his previous role as Director of Integrative Oncology Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center.
She and her team found that 75% of respondents reported decreasing their physical activity level after being diagnosed with cancer; 16% maintained the same level; and 4% increased it (the remaining 5% of patients did not respond to the survey question).
“Most of these patients — more than half — were a year out from their cancer diagnosis,” she says. “Knowing that most cancer treatments are completed within six months and these patients are still reporting that their physical activity is down — that was surprising to learn.”
Dr. Romero also says she was interested to learn why patients had trouble staying physically active. The most common barriers to exercise and activity reported were fatigue, pain, difficulty getting motivated, difficulty remaining disciplined, and treatment side effects. Other barriers such as nausea, sadness, and lack of time were all less commonly reported.
It is crucial that patients speak up about pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that prevent physical activity, she says. “We don’t want anyone to think that these things are just what they have to live with.”
Incentives for Exertion
It’s well understood that staying active and maintaining one’s weight can reduce the risk of cancer. However, Dr. Mao says, exercise can have numerous benefits for people with cancer too.
“Being physically active can help maintain quality of life, prevent functional decline, and accelerate recovery once treatment is completed,” he says.
For some people with cancer, such as those with severe heart disease or physical pain and functional limitations, exercise may not be recommended. These patients, Dr. Mao says, should be evaluated by a cardiologist or a rehabilitation physician before doing any intense workouts or activities.
On Your Feet
Dr. Mao says his advice to patients is in line with recommendations for the general population: “Stay physically active as much as possible, ideally 30 minutes of moderate physical activities five days a week,” with a goal to build up a light sweat or become just slightly out of breath.
The Integrative Medicine Service at MSK offers many resources for people with cancer who are willing and able to exercise.
“We have specialized fitness classes for men, for women, for building strong bones, or for increasing flexibility,” he says. “If a patient prefers more mind-body based physical activities, we also have yoga and Tai Chi.”
For patients who are struggling with pain or fatigue, Dr. Mao emphasizes that MSK offers acupuncture, massage, rehabilitation consultation, and physical therapy to alleviate these symptoms and more.
Moving Forward
From here, Dr. Romero says she wants to focus her research on designing more effective interventions for patients to improve motivation.
“We need to increase awareness about the benefits of physical activity for patients and let them know that we can help,” she says.
Dr. Mao’s research into the benefits of exercise also continues. The work, some of which is being done by exercise scientist Lee Jones and his colleagues at MSK, is early, but it could have vast implications.
“Although it’s preliminary, some research suggests physical activities even may improve survival for specific types of cancer such as breast and colorectal cancers,” Dr. Mao says.
