Traditionally, people getting cancer treatments were told to rest and avoid exertion, to save their strength during treatment. But more experts now say that the best way to get through treatment, and possibly the best way to beat cancer, is to stay as physically active as possible.

The American College of Sports Medicine has revised its national recommendations, saying that cancer patients and survivors should strive for the same goal as everyone–about 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise, along with resistance training and stretching.

The panel does caution that workout plans must be adapted to each person’s condition and treatment. For example, some cancer treatments make bones more brittle, which will require exercise that place less stress on them. And immunosuppressed patients must avoid exercise in groups of people.

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Put on those sneakers and take a walk!

Today is National Start Walking Day.  Not only can regular walking reduce risk for heart disease, it can be part of an exercise program to prevent colorectal cancer and support survivorship.

Thirty minutes of walking at a moderate pace has been shown to reduce risk of getting colorectal cancer.  Plus exercise after surgery for stage III colon cancer reduced the chances of its coming back. Read the rest of this entry »

Patients always ask what they can do. Well, there is a lot they can do to reduce the risk for tumor recurring after successful surgeries.

Recent studies have clearly shown that diet is directly associated with the risk of tumor recurrence. People who eat primarily a Western diet are significantly at higher risk than those patients whose diet has less red meat, processed sugar, desserts, and French fries. You can change your diet and reduce your risk of tumor recurrence. Read the rest of this entry »

Although physical activity reduces colon cancer risk, few Americans are aware that exercise can help prevent it.

Only 15 percent of people responding to the Health Information National Trends Survey listed physical activity as one way to reduce the chances of getting colon cancer.

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Colon and rectal cancer survivors who meet Canadian public exercise guidelines have better quality of life and less fatigue.  However, only 1 in 4 survivors reported they were actively exercising.

More than 400 colon and rectal cancer survivors in Canada answered questions about their exercise, quality of life, and fatigue.  Those who were exercising at the level recommended by guidelines reported significantly better quality of life.  They also had less fatigue. Read the rest of this entry »