Being physically active might lengthen the lives of people
with breast and colon cancer, a new study suggests.
Exercise may also benefit patients with other cancers, but
there is no substantial evidence to make that claim, the researchers added.
"We have lots of data that says physical activity after
a cancer diagnosis is generally safe and is associated with many improvements
in overall quality of life, and these data suggest that it may even be
beneficial in terms of prolonging life," said lead researcher Dr. Rachel
Ballard-Barbash, associate director of the applied research program in the
division of cancer control and population science at the U.S. National Cancer
Institute.
"For many years, we have tended to think of a diagnosis
of cancer being fatal, but as we are diagnosing people much earlier and
receiving effective treatment, they're living for a long time with their
cancer," she said.
Cancer is becoming more of a chronic disease, Ballard-Barbash
explained.
"Because of that, many people actually are at risk for
other chronic diseases, like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, and
physical activity is well known to be beneficial for these conditions,"
she added.
The report was published in the May 8 issue of the Journal of
the National Cancer Institute.
For the study, Ballard-Barbash's team analyzed 27
observational studies published between January 1950 and August 2011 that
looked at cancer survival and physical activity.
The evidence of these benefits was strongest for breast
cancer patients, where exercise significantly reduced death from all causes
including breast cancer, the researchers found. Strong data also existed for
improved survival among colon cancer patients.
The researchers also looked at other randomized controlled
studies that suggested exercise benefited patients in a variety of ways,
including improving insulin levels, reducing inflammation and possibly
improving the body's immune system.
Dr. Edward Giovannucci, a professor of nutrition and
epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and author of an
accompanying journal editorial, said that "even though direct cancer effects
of physical activity are not definitively proven, given that physical activity
is generally safe, improves quality of life for cancer patients and has
numerous other health benefits, adequate physical activity should be a standard
part of cancer care."
"The vast majority of cancer patients will likely
benefit to some degree from physical activity," he added.
Few factors have shown as much promise in extending the lives
of cancer survivors, Giovannucci wrote.
"Many treatments may increase survival, but at a cost of
quality of life; physical activity may not only extend life but also enhances
its quality," he added.
Samantha Heller, a dietitian, nutritionist, exercise
physiologist and clinical nutrition coordinator of the Center for Cancer Care
at Griffin Hospital, in Derby, Conn., said that "we have evidence to
suggest that physical activity not only improves survival of people living with
cancer, but it also decreases the risk of many other chronic diseases."
"Conversely, physical inactivity has been associated
with many cancers including breast, colon, prostate, pancreas and
melanoma," she said.
Because of certain chemotherapy and radiation therapy
treatments for cancer, survivors may be at an increased risk of additional
cancers and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Heller said.
"Therefore, a healthy lifestyle including regular
exercise and a healthy diet is essential for survivors to reduce the risk of
cancer recurrences and other diseases," she said.
Regular physical activity also improves sleep, psychological
and emotional well-being and helps manage stress, Heller said.
"The number of cancer survivors is, happily, growing in the U.S.," she said. "We need to get the word out to them that exercise, whether it is walking, dancing, running, swimming or hula hooping, will boost their health, fitness level and quality of life."
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