In a statement received from Wendy Hardy on behalf of the South African Society of Physiotherapy, it states “people with cancer can live a healthy life and be physically active”.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) gives tips for preventing cancer:
- Don’t smoke
- Be physically active
- Eat healthy
Research done by the WHO into well-studied cancers such as breast, colon and lung cancer shows that people who engage in regular, moderate-intensity exercise, have a significantly reduced chance of getting these diseases.
The significant risk is reduced between 20% and 40%.
Moderate-intensity activity includes walking briskly, dancing, cycling on fairly level terrain, gardening, scrubbing floors and other housework activities as well as playing with children.
Experts vary on what regular exercise means, and some say around three or four times a week while others say most days of the week.
Singo says exercise five times a week with a duration of between 20 and 40 minutes at a stretch is ideal.
Surviving and thriving
When diagnosed with cancer, a lot of practical advice is given about how to manage life while in treatment.
Physiotherapists on the oncology team suggest exercise.
Singo says it is safe to exercise while undergoing cancer treatment.
“It increases endurance levels and lessens the stress level,” he says.
Exercising while being treated will improve the cancer sufferer’s strength and reduce the fatigue often associated with oncology treatments.
“It can greatly improve your quality of life,” says Singo.
Exercise has beneficial effects on the body, from improving blood flow to the brain to improving heart function.
Cancer patients who are concerned about what kind of exercise they should be doing and if it’s right for them should consult their physiotherapist.
Physiotherapists are medically trained experts in creating tailor-made exercise programmes to suit each individual’s needs and specific circumstances.
Singo says he cannot comment on the research done by the WHO because he hasn’t seen the results.
