An overview of 24 studies of exercise in cancer patients was recently published. Various researchers had looked at groups of patients from 1980 to 1997, including many different types of cancers and staqges of disease (although mostly early stage). According to the authors of this overview, K.S. Courneya et al the studies consistently showed that physical exercise had a positive benefit for patients. Quality of life was raised. Areas measured were: functional, psychological, and emotional well being. Patient's subjective benefits included less nausea, fatigue, pain and diarrhea. Objectively there were lower blood markers, greater lung capacity, more muscular strength and flexibiliy. Patients also experienced more feelings of competence, control and self-esteem, with less depression and anixety. Ann's NOTE: I have often said if you cannot get out of bed, move your arms and legs. My grandmother used to flex her feet as she lay in bed. If you can, walk around your room. Later walk around your house, next around the block. After that work up to around the neighborhood. But any level of exercise is better than none. Do what you can, it may help according to the above. And it probably cannot hurt. Use good judgement, do not overdo it. And eat well, drink lots of fluids. In conversations with exercise professionals, I gleaned the notion to combine exercise with good nutrition, etc. (our five-point program is nutrition, dietary supplements, exercise, mind-body-spirit, and detoxification). There are now studies to support the idea that moderate exercise is of value to heart patients. Fit men regardless or weight less likely to develop or die of cancer Study of Men Confirms Fitness Reduces Risk Cut Cancer Risk w/Exercise Recreational Phys Activity Reduces Risk of Aggressive Prostate Ca Study 9/00 Psychosomatic Medicine Wonderful article by Judith Sherman-Wolin Journal of Clinical Oncology February 2001 Walking Poles and Shoulder Function: BCA Survivors Fitness Gains Last in Breast Cancer Survivors Epidemiology, 11/01 Lifetime Recreational Exercise & Bca: Bk/White Women Never Too Late to START Exercising: Reduce Ca Risk J Behavioral Med, 12/01 DoD Breast Cancer Research Program presentation, 9/02 Moderate Exercise May Lower Risk (Ova Ca) Physical Activity in Different Periods of Life & Risk BCa Lack of Exercise Increases Cancer Risk per UK Study Eur J Cancer Care, 12/03 Exercise & yoga improves QoL women w/early-stage breast ca J Chest, 10/05 J Gerontology, 2005 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.