By: David Haas of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance
After being diagnosed with cancer, such as mesothelioma, one of the last things that the patient should do is neglect his or her health. One area of health that the patient should continue to maintain is that of physical fitness. Exercise can help boost the patient’s mood and can also help combat fatigue associated with cancer.
The most important thing is to talk with the doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. For the most part, cancer patients can engage in all of the same activities. The best way to engage in exercise is to choose an activity that is appropriate for the patient’s current level of cardiovascular endurance. Brisk walking is enough to bring significant health benefits to the patient, but those who don’t feel tired while walking briskly might want to try jogging.
Exercise should leave the individual mildly tired. The heart should be pumping and the exerciser should feel somewhat out of breath. Soreness is normal, especially in the legs if the patient is running. However, any sharp pain, dizziness, confusion or severe discomfort is a sign that the patient should not only stop exercising, but also speak with a doctor about the current exercise regimen.
Resistance training can also be very helpful for cancer patients, since many lose a lot of muscle mass, which the body typically replaces with fat. Those who are new to resistance training should consult with a fitness trainer, since some forms of strength training can be dangerous if done improperly.
When using weights, strength trainers should start off small. One day, try a certain amount of weight to see how easy it is to lift. If the weight appears to be too difficult, the strength trainer should reduce the weight by 5 to 10 pounds until he or she finds a weight level that is challenging, but not overwhelming. Generally, the muscles should be able to perform 3 to 10 repetitions of a movement. Overtime, the muscles will get stronger and the amount of weight that the body can lift will increase.
For many patients, exercise might seem overwhelming. They must remember that even a small amount of exercise can lead to significant improvements in health, with even greater health benefits coming with increased muscular and cardiovascular endurance. One way to encourage oneself to exercise more often is to try to incorporate activities that are the most enjoyable. Working in the garden or playing ping pong can be good exercise.