Moses Mabhida Virgin Active hosted a Yoga session in support of people living with breast cancer and celebrating its survivors, as October is regarded as breast cancer awareness month. Picture: Tumi Pakkies/African News Agency(ANA)
DURBAN - SPORTS and exercise physician and Virgin Active SA expert Dr Adrian Rotunno says there is no right or wrong way of easing back into exercise during cancer treatment or after recovery.
Rotunno was sharing tips as breast cancer awareness month wrapped up at the end of October.
He said a cancer diagnosis changed one’s approach to life, hence coping mechanisms were required.
“It requires a mental shift, change in lifestyle and several coping mechanisms. The benefits of exercise in a healthy individual can be applied to a patient diagnosed with, is being treated for, or is recovering from cancer.”
He said an intra- and post-cancer exercise intervention programme could have positive effects and reduce some of the side effects from cancer.
“In a study by Spei et al (2019), breast cancer survivors who were most physically active had a 42% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 40% lower risk of death from breast cancer than those who were the least physically active.
“Exercise – before, during or after treatment – improves the quality of life, while reducing the future risk of cancer or cancer recurrence.
“Data shows that exercise in breast cancer survivors has a positive impact on overall mental and physical well-being.”
Physical activity also triggered cellular apoptosis (cancer cell death) by inhibiting the mutation of unwanted cells, which reduced the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and rid the body of damaged cells that were beyond repair, he said.
“Personal preferences and tolerances should reflect the patient’s best interests, while reinforcing their natural inclination, so the process doesn’t become counter-productive.”
Rotunno said that while the American Cancer Society advised that patients should do roughly 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise weekly, this should be done on individualised exercise programmes.
“In the early stages of treatment or recovery, respect the ordeal your body has gone through. Don’t feel pressured to do more than you should.”
Daily News
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