Experts recommend exercise prescription for cancer sufferers

New guidance to help patients cope with treatment

Experts have called for systematic use of an “exercise prescription” to help cancer patients cope with treatment side-effects.

A global panel reviewed evidence and then gave guidance about the benefits of working out for prevention, treatment, recovery and improved survival.

It set out a number of recommendations including that survivors incorporate exercise to help improve survival after a diagnosis of breast, colon and prostate cancer.

Gary MacDougall was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2018 and took part in a programme based on exercising during cancer treatment.

The 48-year-old from Edinburgh said: “Exercise allowed me to physically push myself, but mentally to take a break from the worry. Some days I only did 10 minutes and was shattered, but others I could do more and did.

“Incredibly, during my first six chemotherapy sessions I became stronger and fitter.

“A huge part of the battle was taking my bike with me into the chemotherapy ward.

“The staff in the Western General (hospital in Edinburgh) were so supportive, and the other patients were bemused at the ‘eejit’ turning up on his bike every time.

“Whether it was chemotherapy, fitness, diet or just ‘hope’ – I believe they all played a part – the doctors were exceptionally surprised my tumour shrunk enough in those first six chemotherapy sessions and gave me the chance to have surgery.

“That operation was a year ago and after six further chemotherapy sessions I am still here, and my cancer markers are looking good.”

Organisations on the international panel include the American Cancer Society, the US-based National Cancer Institute, the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, Macmillan Cancer Support and the German Union for Health Exercise.

Edinburgh Napier University’s Anna Campbell has been working in the area of exercise and cancer survivorship for 20 years.

She has been particularly focused on the implementation of exercise programmes, including the one undertaken by Mr MacDougall, after a cancer diagnosis.

Prof Campbell said: “These updated recommendations are designed to convince clinicians to refer and to help cancer patients to incorporate physical activity into their recuperation.”

Staff in the Western General were so supportive, and the other patients were bemused at the ‘eejit’ turning up on his bike. CANCER SURVIVOR GARY MACDOUGALL