Exercise not only contributes to greater longevity for many cancer patients, but can also improve the quality of life for people living with the disease, a new analysis of studies has found.
Cochrane Collaborative researchers who analyzed nearly 100 studies of the impact of physical activity on cancer patents’ quality of life found clear evidence that activities such as walking and cycling can significantly benefit those who are undergoing or have completed treatment.
To reach their conclusions, researchers carried out two independent analyses of past studies of cancer and exercise. The first review examined 56 studies involving more than 4,800 people undergoing treatment for different types of cancer, including breast and prostate cancer. The second analyzed 40 trials involving nearly 3,700 people who had completed treatment for cancer. Exercise programs in both reviews included walking, cycling, yoga, Qigong, resistance training and strength training.
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Overall, the results showed exercise can improve health-related quality of life for people with cancer, as well as social functioning and energy levels. The studies also tied exercise to improved self-esteem, feelings of physical and emotional well-being, sexual health, sleep patterns, pain management and reduced anxiety.
"Together, these reviews suggest that exercise may provide quality of life benefits for people who are undergoing or have undergone treatment for cancer," said lead researcher Shiraz I. Mishra of the Prevention Research Center at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
"We need to understand from future trials how to maintain the positive impacts of exercise in the longer term and whether there are particular types of exercise that are suited to particular types of cancer."