Exercise in Oncology: An Introduction to Establishing Priorities and Learning the Basics

May 14, 2012
By: Scott Adams

For years we have been told that, in order to get fit we need to set goals for ourselves. Annoying or not, goal setting is especially important for everyone attempting to overcome the functional deficits imposed by a cancer diagnosis. However, depending on the extent to which cancer has affected your function, your goals may not be centered on working on that “six pack” for a while. The good news is that, whether you are trying to overcome or live with:

· movement problems
· neuropathies and balance issues
· persistent cancer-related fatigue
· hormonal imbalances or metabolic disorders
· cardiovascular insufficiencies
· issues with body image and self-esteem
· blood profile imbalances
· depression and anxiety
· memory and attention problems
· sleep difficulties or appetite issues
· infertility or caring for children

…exercise may be able to help! (Stay tuned for more info on each issue)

As an Exercise Physiologist, working in oncology, I need to help each person I work with accomplish the following:

1) Learn the basic principles of exercise.
a. Understanding your needs/risks
b. Establishing priorities and goals
c. The Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks: Understanding the importance and use of METs
d. Learning how to push/challenge yourself SAFELY
2) Understand the potential short-/long-term, physical and functional implications of their diagnosis, surgeries and treatments; and appreciate how such complications could seriously impact quality of life.
3) Reinforce the importance and potential contribution of exercise in:
a. decreasing the frequency and severity of surgery- and treatment-related complications, and
b. preventing many chronic cancer-related health complications.
4) Develop and incorporate the lifestyle changes necessary to restore quality to life and protect themselves for the remainder of it.

I completely understand how looking at a big list like this can be overwhelming! I also know that people tend to shy away from subjects that make them feel this way. DON’T WORRY…it is also part of my job to make understanding these topics easy! Again, stay tuned for more info on each of these areas.

A final thought for the day: the decision to get into exercise is a big one. As silly as it sounds, I often use PROs/CONs lists to help guide and reinforce the big decisions in my life. If you find yourself still sitting on the “exercise fence”, do yourself a favour…take 5 minutes out of your day to write a PROs/CONs list. From i) finding the energy to get back to work/school, to ii) an excuse to buy a new pair of shoes…put it all down. A PROs/CONs list is simply the best way (I’ve found) to organize your thoughts around complicated decisions.

(…stay tuned for The Basic Principles of Exercise within Oncology)