Exercise improves quality of life for cancer survivors

Among the many therapies discussed at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, exercise played a role in improving quality of life for cancer survivors.

A yoga program was designed for women with breast cancer who were undergoing 6 weeks of radiation therapy. A group of 61 women, average age 52, either participated twice a week in yoga class or served as a control group. At one week after radiotherapy, the yoga group had significantly better SF-36 scores for physical function and general health than the control group, and marginally better SF-36 scores for social functioning. They also reported lower levels of fatigue.

Another small study included 38 people (27 women with breast cancer and 11 men with prostate cancer) at an average age of 60 years who were beginning at least 28 radiation treatments over 6 weeks. They were asked to take daily walks and try to increase the total number of steps walked each day, and complete 11 resistance band exercises daily starting with one set of 8 to 15 repetitions and gradually increasing to 3 or 4 sets. The home-based exercise group reduced levels of cancer-related fatigue and improved aerobic capacity compared with patients in standard care.

A third study followed 543 men and women with newly diagnosed breast or prostate cancer. For 10 months, one group was mailed tailored print material on eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing fat intake and/or increasing exercise, while the other group was mailed general material on diet and exercise. Both groups significantly improved diet and exercise behaviors, but the group receiving tailored messages had the greatest improvements.

Source: ASCO

eNews issue 57