Historically, cancer patients were told to rest and avoid activity but, in recent years, that advice has changed.

-Team@CMHF

• To clear up confusion, there are now exercise guidelines for cancer survivors.
• When Marty Alertman was diagnosed with breast cancer fifteen years ago, just did what she always does – turned to exercise to help which helped her get through her day.
• Because there are now an estimated 12 million cancer survivors, the American College of Sports Medicine released new exercise guidelines for this population.
• These guidelines cover that cancer continuum.
• They’re safe for people undergoing treatment, they’re safe for people who have finished their treatment and are moving beyond that cancer
• The guidelines are consistent with those for the general public – moderate to vigorous activity for 150 minutes per week even fast-paced walking counts.
• But for some there are precautions.
1. Depending on the treatment and the site of the cancer, some patients will have to slow down or cut back.
• People should be encouraged not to push themselves.
• If one doesn’t feel like it on a particular day, need not worry about it see how he feels the next day?
• But the main takeaway is to avoid inactivity.
• The guidelines also include recommendations for what to during chemotherapy versus radiation.
• The report shows how exercise can help with certain side effects.

For further reading log on to

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/health&id=8211615