Can exercise reduce the effects of cancer?

 Can exercise reduce the effects of cancer?

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that exercise reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and death.

The study showed that a 6-month exercise program has a positive effect on the physical health of cancer patients.

Experts have suggested that exercise should be made an essential part of cancer treatment and included in daily lifestyle.

We all know that physical exercise has many benefits. Exercise has the power to control chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Experts say that not only these diseases, but also cancer can be beneficial if you exercise daily.

According to a new study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine, cancer patients who engage in a systematic exercise program are less likely to have cancer recurrence.

They have been able to live longer than other cancer patients.

How did exercise improve cancer? What is the main information this study is trying to provide?

Emergency physician and George Washington University expert Dr. Interview with Liana Wayne:

CNN: Why are the results of this study important?

Wayne: In the past, studies have only been coming out that exercise is beneficial for cancer patients. The current New England Journal of Medicine study has conducted a trial to see what benefits exercise has for cancer patients, and how. In which data has been presented that there has been a significant improvement in cancer patients.

The researchers gathered 900 patients from 55 cancer centers in six countries, who were in the third and second stages of colon cancer.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, even after cancer treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, colon cancer recurs in 30 percent of cases. As a result, many diseases lead to death.

The patients who participated in the study were divided into two groups. One group was given information about healthy eating and general health, including regular physical activity.

This is the current standard treatment procedure.

The other group was given a program with an exercise plan with a health coach. The group received twice-monthly consultations with a trainer for the first six months, and then once a month thereafter.

This group received supervised exercise, motivation, and ongoing monitoring.

The participants showed significant improvements in their exercise performance. They measured their 6-minute walk distance and their VO2 max, which is a machine that measures the body’s maximum ability to take in oxygen.

Both of these parameters are indicators of the health of the heart and circulatory system. Therefore, it can be seen that exercise had a direct and positive effect on their physical fitness.

When the two groups were followed for about eight years, 131 people in the group who received general advice had cancer recurrence and 66 people had died. While only 93 people in the group who received structured exercise had cancer recurrence and 41 people had died.

This meant that the exercise group had a 28 percent lower risk of cancer recurrence and a 37 percent lower risk of death. The study proves that exercise is very effective in prolonging disease-free life after cancer and should be an essential part of treatment.

CNN: How could the study's results change treatment?

Wayne: Imagine a new drug in clinical trials that reduced the risk of cancer recurrence or new cancer development by 28 percent.

What if the risk of death during treatment was reduced by 37 percent? Patients and doctors would consider this a major breakthrough and would be excited to try it as a new treatment.

That's exactly the kind of result this study showed. I think it could change the way we treat cancer. Currently, patients are advised to exercise after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, but most patients don't use a fitness trainer or coach. And doctors or primary care providers may not ask about their exercise program at follow-up visits.

But now, looking at these data, it's clear that this situation needs to change. Now, patients can be given 'exercise training'. And health care workers can track their exercise activity regularly.

Insurance companies may also consider covering the cost of a health coach for cancer patients, as it can help reduce the need for expensive chemotherapy or other treatments in the future.

It can also be seen as an investment in future treatment costs.

CNN: How does exercise reduce cancer risk?

Wayne: Population-based studies have also shown that regular physical activity reduces the risk of some types of cancer. There are some theories that it reduces cancer.

According to one theory, exercise helps people maintain a healthy weight. Because obesity itself is a risk factor for cancer.

Similarly, exercise helps balance certain hormones in the body. Hormones that are involved in the development of cancer. In addition, exercise can reduce the body's inflammatory response, which is another reason that may be associated with cancer.

CNN: How much exercise is necessary?

Wayne: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Adults are recommended to participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week.

If someone exercises five days a week, that's about 30 minutes of exercise per day. For example, brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming are all good.

The benefits of these exercises are cumulative. That is, you don't have to do them all at once. Those who can't set aside a lot of time for exercise can think about how to incorporate physical activity into their daily lifestyle.

Can you take the stairs instead of the elevator at work? If you do this five times a day, you can get about 10 minutes of indirect exercise. Instead of sitting at your desk on the phone or in a meeting, you can walk around your neighborhood. Can you park a little further away and walk for a few minutes?

Small changes can make a big difference. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week, according to the recommendation.

CNN: What other tips do you have for people who want to start exercising?

Wayne: 150 minutes of exercise per week is ideal. However, even small amounts of physical activity can have significant benefits. The best advice I can give is to keep trying, not to expect quick results. You won’t see results overnight.

Exercises that last as little as 15 or 30 seconds can be beneficial. For example, doing a few squats, doing household chores. Just getting up from your chair and moving around a bit can be beneficial for your body. Especially for those who spend a lot of time at a desk, more exercise is needed to counterbalance the negative effects of sitting.