How Might Relaxation Techniques Help Me If I'm Undergoing Cancer Treatment And When Should I Do Them?

(ABCNEWS.com)

 

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Question: Is it a good idea to exercise if I'm undergoing cancer treatment?

Answer:The issue of exercise and cancer is an especially important one, because it turns out that if someone has been a couch potato all of his or her life and then receives a diagnosis of cancer, if that person gets up and engages in physical activity, even walking briskly 20 minutes a day, you have an increased benefit in survival. The survival of those patients who do exercise is 50 percent better than patients who do not.

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So this is something extremely important that patients can do for themselves that will actually affect the outcome of the disease. Exercise is absolutely essential. We offer a range of exercise programs -- everything from in-bed exercises for people who are still hospitalized, to chair-aerobics for patients who can't yet stand up to engage in physical activity, to everything beyond that. But you don't need to come in for classes -- you don't need even need assistance if you just walk briskly 20 minutes a day; that will greatly increase your chances of survival. .