Avoid Inactivity!

January 31, 2012

One of the most important messages I can give to all cancer patients and cancer survivors is: AVOID INACTIVITY!
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), has recently developed guidelines on exercise and physical activity in patients who are undergoing active treatment for cancer or who have completed treatment. More and more studies have proven that exercise is essential to recovery of cancer treatment, and improvement in quality of life.

During the past 6 years, I have worked with many people who have had cancer, were either going through treatment at the time, or have just finished up treatment, and are trying to get back the strength they had before diagnosis. It’s been a real eye-opener for me! I have always loved being active, played a lot of sports growing up, and have been lucky enough to maintain good health along the way. Being around this demographic has taught me that we can’t take anything for granted, and that no matter what life throws at you, you must stay strong both mentally and physically.

Part of these new ACSM guidelines suggest that patients should return to normal daily activity as soon as possible after surgery during adjuvent cancer treatments. Normal daily activities simply means just that....what you did day to day before your diagnosis to maintain normal function. It’s not always easy, but taking it a little bit at a time is better than the mentality that you must stay in bed and recover after surgery/treatment.

Exercise is safe both during and after treatment including intensive life-threatening treatments such as a bone marrow transplant. Resistance and flexibility exercises are recommended for cancer patients, with careful consideration for those who may be at risk for lymphedema or bone fractures. Certain types of chemotherapy and radiation cause certain risks for patients and certain side effects. Particular exercise prescriptions can be made for patients whose risks are higher for these types of side effects. Even though there is a lot of fatigue associated with treatment, it’s always better to do something rather than nothing at all. There are so many things cancer patients/survivors can do to stay active and gain back their pre-diagnosis strength.

Some of you may know this, but The MAC and East Hills offer the only cancer exercise program in the area! We are very careful to take in to account all the aspects of different treatments and the effects they may have on each individual. We are trained to help people feel stronger physically as well as improve quality of life. One of the best things about our 10 week exercise program is that we encourage all participants to bring a support person along with them, someone who could also benefit from the class even if they may already be healthy! Here are a few of the details:
Cancer Wellfit
10 week sessions that meet twice a week for an hour each time
Full membership to the club where the class is being held for both participant and support person.
Taught by certified instructors with special training in cancer treatments
Pre-registration through Lacks Cancer Center, St. Mary’s Health Care - 685-5222

Please call or email me if you or anyone you know could benefit from the Cancer Wellfit program or a personal training program. I’d be happy to give you more information! 956-8003 ext. 318. krich@michiganathleticclub.com