Exercise and Cancer

Exercise has numerous benefits for cancer patients as well as individuals who simply want to lower their cancer risk. Research has shown improved outcomes and treatment completion rates for those patients who actively exercise. Other benefits include:

• Less fatigue
• Decreased anxiety
• Fewer sleep disturbances
• Decreased memory loss during treatment
• Reduction in chemotherapy-induced nausea
• Decreased shortness of breath
• Increased recovery of function

Therapy programs are designed and customized to meet the unique needs of each patient. Physical activities are selected based on the patient’s diagnosis, type of cancer, fitness level and medical treatment. The frequency and duration of the exercise therapy will be determined after a thorough evaluation and assessment by a patient’s physician and therapist.

A personalized exercise program will address stretching, strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning, pain, swelling, scar management and any side effects of cancer treatment such as lymphedema, numbness and tingling, swallowing/speech difficulties, cognitive impairment or “chemo brain,” among others.