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Exercise and Colorectal Health
Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer With Exercise
When cancer or treatments are leaving you fatigued or feeling down, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get up and exercise. While it’s important to listen to your body and get plenty of rest, it’s just as critical to stay physically active. This might not be the time to start training for a marathon or hitting the gym every single day, but it is a time to prioritize getting moving in a safe, healthy way.
Here’s why your body will thank you for staying active while you’re being treated for colorectal cancer. Exercise can slow down the progression of colorectal cancer. Exercise isn’t a cure for cancer, but it’s still an important part of treatment. Research from a 2019 study shows that it’s especially beneficial for people with late-stage colon cancer. The study found that being physically active may be able to slow down the progression of colorectal cancer. The study also found that people who exercise for at least half an hour every day may be able to better tolerate the harsh effects of chemotherapy. Remember that since exercise is not a cure, you still need to keep up with your prescribed treatment plan.
During cancer treatment, it’s more important than ever to keep the rest of your health in check. Cancer treatments can wreak havoc on your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections or illness. Additionally, other medications you may be taking for conditions like heart disease or diabetes can interfere with cancer treatments. Exercise is key because it helps your body use blood sugar, maintain your heart and lung health, and manage your weight. It also reduces your risk of developing conditions like heart disease or diabetes in the first place.
Stopping cancer treatment doesn’t mean that it’s time to stop exercising. In fact, you might want to pay even more attention to your physical activity — it has been shown to delay or reduce your likelihood of colorectal cancer coming back (recurring). Physical activity can also decrease your risk of developing other types of cancers. Exercise is one of your body’s natural defenses against disease. When you exercise, your body can regulate some of the hormones that could contribute to cancer and that keep your immune system in shape.
Exercise can be safe if you have colorectal cancer — but you might need to take certain precautions or make adjustments to your usual routine. If you are being treated for colorectal cancer, you may want to avoid:
Heavy weight training
Using public gym equipment to avoid germs
Swimming in public pools or hot tubs, lakes, or rivers
Overdoing it — you may need to start with just a few minutes each day and build up
Activities that put a lot of stress on your bones
Talk to your provider about which exercises are safest and most effective, and if there is anything you should avoid while being treated.
To access the full article on exercise benefits recovering from colon cancer, click here.
In partnership with the YMCA, Hally Health focuses on a variety of topics aimed at people of any age or fitness level who want to stay healthy and active. Try this Resistance Band Exercise Workout that’s sure to get your heart pumping. To view all our YMCA partnership fitness videos throughout the month, please visit hally.com or Facebook.com/HallyHealth.
