Did you know that exercise can help reduce your risk for colon cancer?
Studies have shown that a person who is active can reduce their risk of colon cancer by more than 20 percent versus a person who is sedentary. And for those who are already being treated, exercise has a myriad of benefits to help you reduce the complications of treatment. It’s a good reason to get moving!
Tips for exercising with cancer
Living with a serious or chronic condition can make exercise feel more daunting. With a few precautions, one can reap all the benefits of a regular exercise program with little risk.
Take the following precautions to ensure safety:
- Always check with your doctor prior to beginning a new exercise routine
- Do not exercise with low red blood cell counts (anemia)
- Avoid exercising in public gyms if you have low white blood cell counts
- Avoid pools if you have a catheter or feeding tube that could become infected, or newly irradiated skin
- Do not exercise above a moderate level (equivalent to brisk walking) without clearance from your doctor
- Start slowly and take rests when needed
- Always include at least a few minutes of warm-up and cool-down
- Include exercise for strength, flexibility, and balance
- If you are unsure of how to get started, enlist the help of a physical therapist
Benefits of exercise
For those undergoing cancer treatments, the benefits of exercise can include:
- Maintaining or improving physical activities
- Reducing muscle wasting
- Lowering the risk of heart disease, bone loss and blood clots
- Reducing anxiety, depression and fatigue
- Improving quality of life
*Source: National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov
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