A Must-Read Guide To Exercise During A Cancer Diagnosis

A Guide To Exercise for Cancer Patients

Contrary to common myths, cancer is not a death sentence. About a third of all cancers can be cured, if they are detected and treated early. To raise cancer awareness, Tiq by Etiqa Insurance is partnering with Icon Cancer Centre to share the following exercise guide for cancer patients. Bear in mind, you can cancel cancer!


Exercise is encouraged and prescribed to every person across the world to promote optimum health. While exercise cannot guarantee or prevent all illnesses from occurring, regular training contributes to greater overall health and wellbeing and mitigates the risk of disease.

For people with a cancer diagnosis, while rest is essential, it’s just as important to keep up with physical activity.1 Moving your body helps to manage treatment side effects, speed up recovery time and improve your overall outlook on life.

Combined with a healthy diet, you can potentially prevent the recurrence of some cancer types. A healthy lifestyle also reduces the possibility of developing other health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.2

Many organisations across the world, including the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA), actively promote and encourage each cancer treatment plan to include exercise.3

Benefits of exercise for cancer patients

Exercising and making healthy diet choices throughout your cancer journey, from diagnosis through to treatment and beyond, promotes and improves a variety of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual functions.1 Some benefits include:

  • overall physical wellness and body function
  • stronger muscles and bones
  • enhances blood circulation and regulates blood pressure
  • regulates weight to a healthy level
  • improves energy levels
  • enhances mobility and balance
  • positive self-esteem
  • improves mental and emotional wellbeing, including better management of stress, anxiety, depression or other emotions
  • provides a healthy source of social interaction and connection with like-minded individuals
  • mitigates heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers
  • stimulates healthy immune function and cellular activity
  • builds self-connection and self-confidence
  • releases endorphins
  • reinforces a positive mindset
  • introduces new activities to look forward to mastering
  • encourages the continuation of previously enjoyed physical activities

Types of exercise for cancer patients

The three main categories of exercise include aerobic, strength and flexibility training.1

Aerobic exercises

This includes aerobics, spin classes, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), running, swimming and more. Aerobic activity can be scaled and performed at an intensity and pace suitable to how you feel each day. A key benefit includes improved heart and lung fitness through oxygenation. It’s ideal for increasing your heart rate and using larger muscle groups.

Strength training

Often referred to as resistance training or weight training. Resistance training helps to build muscle and maintain muscle mass. When combined with functional movement: the seven basic movements of the human body (squat, pull, bend, walk, push, hinge and twist), you equip your body to move efficiently in day-to-day activities.2 For patients not strong enough to lift heavier weight, body weight exercises are still highly beneficial.

Flexibility exercises

This includes yoga, pilates, tai chi, foam rolling or general stretching exercises. Through this type of workout, you’ll improve your range of motion, improve posture and breathing, while strengthening all the muscles in your body.

If you’re unsure where to begin or what type of exercise is suitable for your current state of health, please speak with your care team.

Education

Icon Young Women’s Cancer Program

Icon’s Young Women’s Cancer Program understand the unique challenges young women with a cancer diagnosis face. This support includes connecting young women with services that can help maintain their optimal fitness through relevant exercise programs as well as programs to help self-esteem and body image. To find out more, click here.

References:

  1. Exercise after a cancer diagnosis. Cancer Council NSW. Retrieved 18th March, 2020. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/UC-Pub-CAN4152-Exercise-01-52pp.pdf
  2. The Fundamental Human Movements. Student REC and Wellness Center, Long Beach State University. [2016]. Retrieved 18th March, 2020. https://www.asirecreation.org/recreport/ask-trainer/63-ask-a-trainer-archive/302-the-fundamental-human-movements

[End]

This article is contributed by Icon Cancer Centre and first appeared here. All information is correct as at the date of publication on 4 August 2020. For more information, on exercise whilst undergoing cancer treatment and on Icon Young Women’s Cancer program, please visit Icon Cancer Centre.


Tiq by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.

A digital insurance channel that embraces changes to provide simple and convenient protection, Tiq’s mission is to make insurance transparent and accessible, inspiring you today to be prepared for life’s surprises and inevitabilities, while empowering you to “Live Unlimited” and take control of your tomorrow.

With a shared vision to change the paradigm of insurance and reshape customer experience, Etiqa created the strong foundation for Tiq. Because life never stops changing, Etiqa never stops progressing. A licensed life and general insurance company registered in the Republic of Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Etiqa is governed by the Insurance Act and has been providing insurance solutions since 1961. It is 69% owned by Maybank, Southeast Asia’s fourth largest banking group, with more than 22 million customers in 20 countries; and 31% owned by Ageas, an international insurance group with 33 million customers across 16 countries.

Discover the full range of Tiq online insurance plans here.

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