Exercise May Boost Health of Cancer Patients

Exercise during and after treatment improves quality of life and eases fatigue for patients battling either breast or prostate cancer, finds Eleanor M. Walker, from Henry Ford Hospital (Michigan, USA), and colleagues.  The team established a program called ExCITE, that encouraged 30 female breast cancer patients and 20 prostate cancer patients to collaborate on individualized exercise programs. The subjects, ages 35 to 80 years, were followed during their treatment and for a year afterward.   Reporting that:  “Exercise is a great alternative to patients combating fatigue and nausea who are considering using supplements which may interfere with medications and chemotherapy they’re taking during cancer treatment,” the researchers urge that:  “Using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects.”