The Role of Exercise in Cancer Treatment

Exercise has long been considered a means to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. While it was once believed that biological treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and medications were the only ways to treat cancer, recent strong evidence shows that exercise plays a vital role in improving survival chances and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

The Importance of Exercise in Cancer Treatment

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine conducted a large randomized trial involving over 800 patients with high-risk stage II and stage III colon cancer. Participants were given a structured exercise program in addition to medical care. The study found that these patients reduced their risk of cancer recurrence by 28% compared to other patients who only received educational materials about physical activity.

A longitudinal study involving more than 90,000 cancer survivors in the United States showed that engaging in moderate to intense physical activity after diagnosis contributed to longer survival periods. The study included various types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colon, lung, and others.

How Exercise Affects the Body to Combat Cancer

Exercise induces multiple biological changes in the body, making it challenging to pinpoint its exact mechanisms. Among these mechanisms are the reduction of overall inflammation and the improvement of insulin’s ability to bind to cells, providing them with new energy and preventing cancer cell growth.

Additionally, proteins secreted by muscle tissues, known as myokines, may play a crucial role. Research has shown that myokine levels rise after intense exercise, contributing to the reduction of cancer cell growth.

Exercise and the Immune System

Exercise plays a role in stimulating the immune system by increasing the number of natural killer cells and T-cells, which are effective in combating cancer cells. Studies conducted on mice have shown that exercise led to an influx of immune cells into tumors, reducing tumor occurrence and growth by more than 60%.

Randomized trials are currently underway to determine the impact of exercise on patients with lung and esophageal cancer, aiming to demonstrate that this immune effect also occurs in humans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exercise is not only a means to improve overall health but is now considered an integral part of cancer treatment. Providing the necessary support for patients to exercise regularly can have a significant impact on improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. As studies and research continue, the future seems promising for using exercise as an effective adjunct therapy.