Research project includes exercise as part of cancer treatment
Scientists hope to show plan improves patient health and saves on costs
A new research project in Nova Scotia is including exercise as part of cancer care, hoping to show it improves patient health and saves on the costs of treating the illnesses.
Nova Scotia’s health authority issued a news release Friday featuring former premier and senator John Buchanan as one of the participants.
Buchanan says the exercises have improved the range of movement in his arms and shoulders and his general mobility as he’s been treated for prostate cancer that spread into other parts of his body.
The former premier is among the first of over 51 people referred to the program, with additional people continuing to register to be enrolled in recent months.
“I was introduced to the program by Dr. Lori Wood at the cancer centre, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer by Dr. David Bell,” Buchanan said in a news release.
“It metastasized to some small bones in 2016 and I continue to have adverse effects from the cancer and the medications I take daily.
“For the past month, the ... exercise program has helped me greatly to cope with cancer limitations and day-to-day activities. My shoulders, arms and mobility have improved.”
The program is being offered for patients over 18 with a doctor’s referral, with higher-risk patients being supervised at a hospital exercise lab and lowerrisk patients completing the program at Halifax’s Canada Games Centre.
A certified exercise physiologist provides each participant with an individualized 12-week exercise plan, and modifications are made during every exercise session based on how the participants are feeling.
The program is led by research scientist Melanie Keats, a threetime cancer survivor, and coinvestigator Scott Grandy. They work closely with two oncologists, two cardiologists, exercise specialists and other health professionals.
“We don’t want this to be a oneoff research project, we’re looking for this to be something that is sustainable long term,” Keats said during a telephone interview.
The 47-year-old researcher said the program will assess whether the exercise improves overall patient well being and ability to function, as well as measuring cost savings such as whether exercise plays a role in reducing the number of visits to hospitals and the family doctor.
She said the team will track costs for a 12-week program and the savings it brings to the health care system over a one-year period.
Keats notes that there is a growing body of evidence that exercise is helpful for the health of cancer patients, pointing to a recent public statement by the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.
The society recently provided a position paper stating that exercise “should be embedded as part of standard practice in cancer care and to be viewed as an adjunct therapy that helps counteract the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment.”