Cancer patients and survivors undergo many physical and psychosocial side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. A few of these include muscle wasting, body weight changes, low fitness levels, inflexibility, fatigue, depression, sleep problems, social isolation, lack of a sense of control, and body image concerns. These problems lead to an overall decrease in the quality of one’s life. Many if not all of these side effects can be reduced or eliminated by physical activity.

The EASE Cancer Foundation has conducted a number of research studies over the last 5 years and we have come up with some interesting findings. Using a low to moderate intensity aerobic exercise program we have found: increases in fitness, decreases in body fat, increases in flexibility, decreases in fatigue and depression, increased ability to sleep, increased ability to do daily tasks and an increase in quality of life. All of these aspects are important for a person’s life satisfaction.

In the program that we use, you can get these benefits by exercising 15-20 minutes a day for as little as three days a week. How long does it take to see results? Not long! In a recent study we conducted with breast cancer survivors, we found that people on this program significantly reduced fatigue in 2 weeks. These same people also significantly increased quality of life by 4 weeks (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 37:5 2007). So people, who exercise in the manner we suggest, see results and see them quickly.

If physical activity is something you are interested in, feel free to signup for one of our weekend workshops or contact us (use the contact us button on the home page).