Anyone who has dealt with a cancer diagnosis knows that the road is not an easy one. Even when the disease is caught early and there is every chance for a cure or remission, there are physical and emotional issues that must be addressed. Many doct

ors will actively encourage cancer patients at every point in the journey– be it a new diagnosis, during treatments or even when the cancer has gone into remission – to develop and follow a viable fitness plan. Following are some of the reasons why.

Fight the Fatigue
Cancer can drain the body of energy, which has a negative effect on quality of life. People who are living with constant fatigue often curtail activities, social and otherwise, that used to get them out of the house and around other people. A regular exercise regimen augmented with a nutrient-rich diet can help ease the severity of the fatigue and make it easier not only to get out and do things, but to actually enjoy them. From this perspective, exercise and diet are key to preventing the cancer from undermining the patient’s lifestyle.

Stay in Shape
The right exercise and diet regimen will go a long way toward giving the body the physical strength it needs to fight cancer. It doesn’t matter if the patient is dealing with mesothelioma cancer, prostate cancer or any other form of the disease. Exercise that strengthens the heart, lungs and different muscle groups, helps to strengthen the immune system, and improve the chances of successfully fighting the disease. Similarly, the right diet will provide nutrients the body needs to keep functioning at optimum levels. Simply put, fitness improves chances of getting through cancer and its aftermath with as little damage as possible.

Give Your Mind a Rest
The emotional consequences of dealing with cancer are not limited to those first few days after the diagnosis, or the weeks and months of active cancer treatments. Even survivors need outlets to help them keep the reality of cancer in perspective. Along with helping to keep the body strong, exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which help to balance mood. Rather than spending a lot of time focusing on the cancer, exercise makes it easier to balance those concerns with everything else that is going on. The end result is a better mental attitude that makes it easier to deal with treatments, follow-up doctor’s appointments, and other necessary commitments.

When it comes to the amount of physical activity and the type of diet that is right for the individual cancer patient or survivor, there are number of resources available. One excellent resource is the National Cancer Institute, which provides information from a number of reputable organizations that deal with planning meals and structuring daily exercise routines. Making a few changes in diet and exercise could make a huge difference in a patient’s physical and emotional well-being. Thus, it important important to speak with a physician about options at any point in the cancer patient or survivor’s journey.

David Haas
Cancer Alliance Guest Blogger