01. Overview of Exercise & Mesothelioma
Why Exercise Matters for Mesothelioma Patients
Exercise can help cancer patients. Even light physical activity, which may be the most accessible option for many patients, has benefits. Patients may find it hard to stay active. Mesothelioma and treatment can lead to fatigue, muscle loss and other issues that hinder movement. But appropriate exercise may provide real benefits, including improved energy and mobility.
It may seem odd that something that uses up energy can help cancer patients. For instance, it may seem strange that moving more may help with fatigue. But studies have consistently demonstrated this.
Exercise can also help with emotional and social well-being. A certain amount of movement during treatment may, for example, help reduce anxiety and depression. It may also help patients stay involved in activities with family and friends.
Physical activity does not cure cancer or kill cancer cells. But it may help improve quality of life and manage treatment side effects. You can work with your care team to make a customized exercise plan that will work for you and your unique case.
Can Exercise Improve Mesothelioma Symptoms or Prognosis?
Exercise may improve mesothelioma symptoms and prognosis. It may also help reduce the risk of recurrence (return of cancer). No matter their mesothelioma type or stage, patients can usually engage in some level of physical activity. Care teams can modify plans to help patients access mental and physical benefits of exercise.
Exercise routines for cancer patients may seek to address:
- Anxiety
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Cognitive impairment
- Depression
- Physical limitations
- Sleep problems
It wasn’t too long ago that cancer patients were discouraged from exercising. You may remember hearing this in the past. But research in recent decades shows that patients generally benefit from physical activity.
Regular exercise can help improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and endurance. This may help counteract physical problems caused by mesothelioma treatments.
On a cellular level, exercise reduces inflammation, regulates immune function and enhances insulin sensitivity. This may contribute to better overall health and reduce cancer recurrence risk.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Making Your Exercise Routine
Making a Cancer-Appropriate Exercise Routine
Experts consider several factors to create appropriate exercise routines for mesothelioma patients. Overall health, cancer progression and treatment type can all affect the types and intensities of recommended physical activity.
Making an exercise routine is a collaborative process. Patients work with healthcare workers to set goals, choose activities and modify plans. Exercise planning can begin as soon as a diagnosis occurs. If your cancer doctor does not bring up potential exercises, experts encourage you to ask about them.
What Is the Best Exercise for Mesothelioma Patients?
The best exercises for patients will vary based on their individual mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment plan and other factors. Broadly speaking, cancer patients tolerate and benefit from some level of the following exercise types:
- Aerobic exercise: This type of exercise uses large muscle groups for extended periods of time. Examples include walking, cycling and dancing. Aerobic exercise may help with fatigue, sleep problems and heart and lung function.
- Mindfulness exercise: This type of exercise focuses on breathing methods and other practices to relax the body and reduce stress. Examples include Tai Chi and yoga. Mindfulness work may help improve immune function and cognition.
- Resistance exercise: This type of exercise uses resistance during muscle contraction. Examples include using free weights, resistance bands and body weight. Resistance training may help boost quality of life by improving muscle function and bone density.
In general, some movement is better than none. Even minimal physical activity may benefit patients. For example, breaking up periods of sitting or lying down with light walking can help lower blood sugar and blood pressure.
Exercise routines may change throughout a mesothelioma patient’s cancer journey. For example, doctors may advise patients experiencing pain at a surgery site to avoid exercises involving that area of the body. They may also prescribe certain activities as direct interventions for treatment side effects. Doctors may recommend that mesothelioma patients undergoing chemotherapy engage in exercises to reduce chemo-related fatigue and depression.
A promising area of research is looking into how pre-treatment exercise may help improve patient outcomes. You may hear this referred to as “prehabilitation.” For example, some evidence suggests patients who do resistance training may be able to tolerate higher levels of chemotherapy.
Exercises to Avoid or Modify
Patients will likely have to modify their exercise plans or avoid certain activities at different points in their cancer journey. They should work with their health team every step of the way to try to maximize benefits and minimize negative outcomes.
Exercises to avoid or modify may be based on several factors, including:
- Cancer stage: Cancer stage may affect the suggested intensity of physical activity. People with later-stage cancer may be advised to avoid high-intensity exercise. But even low-intensity physical activity may provide health benefits.
- Non-cancer conditions: Pre-existing cardiovascular, orthopedic and pulmonary conditions can all place limits on the type of exercise a cancer patient may safely engage in. For example, people with a high risk of bone fractures may be advised to stick to low-impact activities like water aerobics.
- Treatment type: Treatment type may impact several considerations related to exercise. For example, patients with surgical wounds or undergoing chemotherapy may be at a high risk for infection. Experts may advise these patients to avoid exercising in busy, public or other potentially unclean facilities.
- Type of cancer: Mesothelioma type may affect recommendations around physical activity. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may be prescribed different exercises than those with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma specialists, mental health professionals and exercise trainers can all help determine the best exercise regimen for your unique case.
03. Tips for Exercising
Exercise Tips for Mesothelioma Patients
A cancer diagnosis can change some aspects of your life. Exercise or level of physical activity may be one of them. Some people may not be able to do the exercises they normally enjoy. Others may not have consistent exercise habits. Either way, you may feel frustrated or discouraged. The best place to start is talking with your doctor.
Health specialists can help you make exercise plans that are helpful, stimulating and safe. Even if your mesothelioma doctor has not mentioned exercise, you can always bring up the topic.
For any patient, it is important not to push your limits. This doesn’t mean you will not be able to increase intensity over time. In fact, plans may be designed to work you up to a certain level of intensity. But it does mean not taxing yourself in a way that is counterproductive to cancer treatment.
You should listen to your body. Physical activity or exercise can be dangerous if you are dizzy, unsteady or in pain. You may be able to find ways to exercise safely in certain difficult situations. For example, unsteadiness may be alleviated by a walking aid like a cane. But experts encourage you to exercise as you are able.
When you are able to exercise, you can consider the following tips to keep things fun, organized and safe:
- Change up activities: Different types of physical activity can keep you engaged while also activating different muscles and joints. Strength, flexibility and aerobic exercises are all important.
- Make exercise a group activity: Getting friends and family to exercise with you can be a great way to stay motivated. You could also join a walking club or cancer support group that does physical activities together.
- Use a fitness tracker: Using something to keep track of your routine – anything from an app to a notebook – can help keep things organized. It can also give specialists good information to track your progress and modify plans.
- Warm up and cool down: Warm-ups and cool-downs help your body ease in and out of exercise. This can help lower the chance of injury.
Doctors may also refer patients to a dietitian. Diet and physical activity provide integrated benefits. One affects the other. A good nutrition plan can help support exercise programs by fighting fatigue, boosting appetite and managing nausea.
Managing Discomfort or Challenges
A mesothelioma patient’s exercise plan will be subject to change. Disease progression, treatment plans and other factors can all affect your ability to engage in different physical activities. It is important to alert your health team to any changes or difficulties.
One way to manage discomfort is by not overexerting yourself. Pushing yourself too hard can be counterproductive. Signs of overexertion include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Excessive tiredness post-workout
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of breath
Decreasing the intensity of your activity may help with these problems. But if they persist, you should reach out to your doctor. They can help work on barriers to exercise and check for changes in your cancer.
04. Common Questions
Common Questions About Exercise and Mesothelioma
- Can mesothelioma patients exercise?
Yes. Most people with cancer can exercise and are in fact encouraged to do so based on new research. Exercise may help with fatigue, muscle loss and other effects of mesothelioma and treatment. Strength, stretching and aerobic exercises may provide benefits.
- Can you exercise after chemotherapy or other treatments?
Cancer patients can often exercise during chemotherapy and other treatments. But they should work with their care teams to make sure any exercise is safe. For example, you may be advised to avoid swimming pools, which can cause complications with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
