New Study Offers Helpful Tips for Cancer Patients When It Comes to Exercise

New research from the American Cancer Society shows exercise can help improve the survival for cancer patients.

The study examined more than 90,000 cancer survivors with a median age of 67 years. The cancer types included bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, lung, oral, prostate, rectal and respiratory.

According to Anokhi Patel, M.D., a medical oncologist with Medical Oncology and Hematology at Mercy who is board certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine, the findings may affect women slightly more than men because exercise can also help regulate hormones.

The example of recommended exercise is roughly two and a half to five hours of brisk walking per week.

“Find an activity that you enjoy,” Dr. Patel said. “Everybody does not particularly enjoy running or cycling, but there are plenty of other activities you can do. You can do swimming, you can do water aerobics, you can take a Zumba class with your best friend—and find somebody that’s going to do it with you, whether it’s a good friend, a family member, sibling, a child. I think it’s important to get a routine and have someone there to support you through it.”

Dr. Patel added that her patient survivorship plan includes routine exercise and a healthy diet, but explained she has seen exercise help with patients’ overall mental health.

View Mercy medical oncologist Dr. Anokhi Patel’s interview regarding the role of exercise in cancer survival and recovery.