Simple aerobic exercises could stop your cancer coming back - see list of activities

Simple aerobic exercises could stop your cancer coming back - see list of activities Cancer Research UK have suppoprted a study which shows aerobic exercise and strength training can make it less likely cancer comes back following treatment Doing exercise can stop cancer coming back after treatment, research shows. A major scientific review has concluded that aerobic exercise, such as running, plus some strength training were less likely to see their cancer come back. The review included 8,500 participants in 123 studies and 21 clinical trials. It found those who exercised as part of their after care were 23% less likely to die and 17% less likely to have a cancer recurrence before their death. They were 18% less likely to die from any cause, and 26% less likely to die from their cancer. Cancer comes back in between 20% to 40% of patients even after chemotherapy and tumours have been surgically removed. Exercise could help cancer patients live longer and healthier lives Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: “Exercise has many health benefits, and this study suggests it could help people with cancer live longer, healthier lives. That's why it's important that those recovering from the disease have access to physical activity support as part of their care, where appropriate.” Exercise is sometimes prescribed to cancer patients to ease fatigue and help mobility but its impact on the chances of tumours returning is still debated. Sometimes the consequences of surgery and chemo leave patients frail and concerned about pushing the body by doing too much physical activity. The scientific review, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggests exercise should be seen as a crucial part of ongoing treatment in anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. 'All cancer journeys are different' Author Chih-Chen Tzang, of the National Taiwan University, said: “Aerobic exercise drives systemic cardiovascular conditioning, immune cell mobilisation, and normalisation of tumour perfusion, mechanisms directly relevant to systemic tumour control.” The most common type of cancer studied was that of the breast followed by those of the bowel and pancreas. Michelle Mitchell added: “All cancer journeys are different, and some people may face barriers to being physically active. Speaking to a doctor can help people work out what is safe and what feels right for them.” Which exercises help? Aerobic exercise is anything that increases your heart rate and includes jogging or running, cycling, swimming and dancing. Common strength exercises include weights, squats, lunges, press ups, sit ups and pull ups. Researchers suspect these are among the activities that boost the body’s immune system response to cancer and improve blood flow within tumours, potentially helping treatment to work better. They say exercise may also lower circulating levels of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and increase glucose uptake by muscles, leaving less available to fuel cancer cells. Physical activity may help cells repair DNA damage, limiting changes that can make tumours more aggressive