Feel Better With Exercise Oncology

Cancer survivors know all too well how cancer treatment changes the body. Suddenly, you might experience pain, fatigue, nausea, stiffness – the list goes on. One thing you’re sure of is that things feel different, and you might wonder if you’ll ever feel normal again.

The simple answer is that you may not feel the same as you before. But, many symptoms you experience during the cancer journey can be reduced — and sometimes even eliminated — through movement. An entire health care discipline exists to enable this. It’s called exercise oncology, and for some survivors, it’s made a world of difference.

From active to stiff, and back to being in shape

Karen Wilford was first diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2008. Her treatment began with six months of chemotherapy, surgery and then six weeks of radiation. She was cancer-free after surgery in April 2009. Then, in 2021, her tumor markers went up, and she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

“I used to be a very active person before cancer,” says Wilford, a patient at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System. “I played racquetball, went to the gym, kayaked and hiked with Meetup groups.” During her cancer journey, though, says Wilford, “I found myself getting a bit stiff and out of shape.”

Carmen Calfa, M.D., a breast cancer oncologist and medical co-director of cancer survivorship at Sylvester, referred Wilford to the exercise oncology clinic that’s part of Sylvester’s Cancer Support Services. Wilford met one-on-one with an exercise physiologist via telehealth video appointments. The convenient virtual appointments helped her feel better.

“I felt energized after exercising with the physiologist,” Wilford says. “It helped me loosen up and feel much stronger.” 

She even returned to some exercises that she had done with a physical trainer before her diagnosis. Working with an exercise oncology specialist had some unique benefits. “It felt really good, and I didn’t have to explain my new limitations,” Wilford says.

Exercise is a cornerstone of cancer survivorship

Exercise may not seem like a priority when confronted with a cancer diagnosis, but it’s a cornerstone of cancer survivorship. Gone are the days when providers would tell their cancer patients to rest and avoid exercise.

“There’s something counterintuitive about exercising during a period when your body is more vulnerable,” says Paola Rossi, M.D., M.S.Ed., clinical program director of lifestyle medicine at Sylvester. “But the evidence is so clear that people who work out through their cancer journey have better outcomes.”

Dr. Rossi says that there is compelling evidence that regular physical activity can significantly improve treatment outcomes, bolster immune function and enhance overall well-being. Research shows that too much resting can cause loss of body function, muscle weakness, and a reduced range of treatment. The bottom line is that survivors who exercise before, during, and after treatment show better outcomes.

Tailored plans are central to exercise oncology

Each survivor experiences different symptoms, which is why exercise oncology includes one-on-one consultations. Perhaps you want to reduce fatigue, anxiety or depression. Maybe you want to maintain or build muscle mass. You might just want to find a way to get back into movement you engaged in during your pre-diagnosis days.

Exercise oncology enables you to accomplish your goals under the guidance of a trained exercise physiologist who tailors your exercise plan to your needs and abilities. They factor in everything from treatment history, cancer diagnosis and family history to how you’re feeling, what kind of physical activity you did before your diagnosis and what you do now exercise-wise.

“Just as a physician would prescribe a pill, we prescribe movements,” Dr. Rossi says. “Movements can be modified to meet the survivor’s mobility and current needs.”

Movement is essential to cancer survivorship

Once a survivor and exercise oncologist devise an exercise plan, it’s up to the survivor to put the plan into action. The exercise oncologist will stay in communication, finding out how the plan is going, how the survivor is feeling, and if they need to modify anything.

Remember this: No matter where you are in your journey – pretreatment, during treatment or posttreatment – movement is essential.

Whether or not you’re not working with an exercise oncologist, the American Cancer Society recommends that all cancer survivors take part in regular physical activity. Its guidelines are straightforward:

• Avoid inactivity and return to normal everyday activities as soon as possible after your diagnosis and treatment.
• Start slowly. Build up your activity over time.
• Build up to 150–300 minutes of moderate activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
• Aim to exercise several times a week for at least 10 minutes at a time.
• Include resistance training at least two days per week.
• Perform stretching exercises at least two days each week.

“I would definitely recommend exercise oncology to others,” Wilford says. “You get a program tailored to your needs, and it helps you feel better both physically and mentally. Cancer really pushed the clock forward, and exercise helps to dial it back a bit.”

If you’re a survivor looking for ways to get active, Sylvester offers a variety of in-person and virtual group exercise classes. If your schedule makes attending regular classes difficult, try one of the lifestyle medicine program’s full-length workouts on YouTube.

Cara Tremols is a contributor for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Tags: Cancer survivorship and fitness, Dr. Carmen Calfa, Dr. Paola Rossi, lifestyle medicine, Physical activity for cancer survivors, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center