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SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2010
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
Your Daily “To Do” List Will Always Be Fun at Beacon Hill at Eastgate.
AP PHOTOS
Springing to life: Ed Ritt, right, and his wife, Bobbie, do warmup exercises in a couples class for cancer patients at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland.
Cancer: For those who survive, exercise can make you thrive Loosen up: Dr. Britta TorgrimsonOjerio, right, takes a group of couples through the paces in the Oregon class.
Activity may even be needed during treatment BY LAURAN NEERGAARD
With so many exciting activities under one roof, your “to do” list will never be more rewarding. Live life to the fullest in a spacious independent apartment home, surrounded by upscale amenities and a vibrant faith-based community.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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WASHINGTON — Cancer survivors, better work up a sweat. New guidelines are urging survivors to exercise more, even — hard as it may sound — those who haven’t yet finished their treatment. There’s growing evidence that physical activity improves quality of life and eases some
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cancer-related fatigue. More, it can help fend off a serious decline in physical function that can last long after therapy is finished. Consider: In one year, women who needed chemotherapy for their breast cancer can see a swapping of muscle for fat that’s equivalent to 10 years of normal aging, says Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In other words, a 45-yearold may find herself with the fatter, weaker body type of a 55-year-old. Scientists have long advised that being overweight and sedentary increases the risk for various cancers. Among the nation’s nearly 12 million cancer survivors, there are hints — although not yet proof — that people who are more active may lower the risk of a recurrence. And like everyone who ages, the longer cancer survivors live, the higher their risk for heart disease that exercise definitely fights.
found at-home exercises with some muscle-strengthening, plus a better diet, could slow physical decline. Duke University is recruiting 160 lung cancer patients to test if three-times-a-week aerobic exercise, strength training or both could improve their fitness after surgery. Lung cancer has long been thought beyond the reach of exercise benefits because it’s so often diagnosed at late stages. But Duke’s Dr. Lee Jones notes that thousands who are caught in time to remove the lung tumor do survive about five years, and he suspects that fitness — measured by how well their bodies use oxygen — plays a role.
Changing doctors’ advice
People with cancer usually get less active as symptoms or treatments make them feel lousy. Plus, certain therapies can weaken muscles, bones, even the heart. Doctors have advised taking it easy. Not anymore: Be as active as you’re able, says Dr. Kathryn ‘You don’t have to be Lance’ Schmitz of the University of The American College of Pennsylvania, lead author of Sports Medicine convened a the new guidelines. panel of cancer and exercise “Absolutely it’s as simple as specialists to evaluate the evi- getting up off the couch and dence. Guidelines issued this walking,” she says. month advise cancer survivors Exercise programs are beginto aim for the same amount of ning to target cancer survivors, exercise as recommended for like Livestrong at the YMCA, a the average person: about 21/2 partnership with cycling great hours a week. and cancer survivor Lance Patients still in treatment Armstrong’s foundation. The may not feel up to that much, American College of Sports the guidelines acknowledge, Medicine now certifies fitness but should avoid inactivity on trainers who specialize in cancer survivors. their good days. “You don’t have to be Lance But anyone starting more Armstrong,” stresses Dr. Julia vigorous activity for the first Rowland of the National Can- time or who has particular cer Institute, speaking from risks — like the painful arm a survivorship meeting this swelling called lymphedema month that highlighted exer- that some breast cancer survicise research. “Walk the dog, vors experience — may need play a little golf.” more specialized exercise adBut how much exercise is vice, Schmitz says. They should needed? And what kind? In- discuss physical therapy with novative studies are under way their oncologist, she advises. to start answering those quesFor example, Schmitz led a tions, including: major study that found care Oregon Health and Science ful weight training can protect University is training prostate against lymphedema. But the cancer survivors to exercise average fitness trainer doesn’t with their wives. The study know how to safely offer it, she will enroll 66 couples, com- cautions. paring those given twice-aMary Lou Galantino of week muscle-strengthening Wilmington, Del., is a physiexercises with pairs who cal therapist who specializes don’t get active. in cancer care — and kept exerResearchers think exercising cising when her breast cancer together may help both part- was diagnosed at Penn in 2003. ners stick with it. They’re also Then 42, she says she was on testing if the shared activity the treadmill within 24 hours improves physical functioning of each chemo session, to stay and eases the strain that cancer fit enough to care for her two puts on the caregiver and the preschoolers. “You can feel more energy” marriage. “It has the potential to have with the right exercise, says not just physical benefits but Galantino, a professor at the emotional benefits, too,” says Richard Stockton College of lead researcher Dr. Kerri New Jersey. “I was giving my Winters-Stone. body up to the surgeons and Demark-Wahnefried led a re- chemo, but I could take my cent study of 641 overweight body back through yoga and breast cancer survivors that aerobic exercise.”