This article in the NY Times discusses how fitness can be beneficial to hasten the recovery of cancer patients as well as fighting the effects of cancer such as the fatigue from chemotherapy, the loss of muscle tone, and the swelling of lymphedema.
Programs are opening up everywhere including the a new partnership between the Y.M.C.A. and the Lance Armstrong Foundation which will offer cancer fitness classes at more than 12 Y’s in 10 states. Cancer survivors are organizing their own classes at Curves International has created new routines for overweight-breast-cancer patients.
Data and research conducted by the National Cancer Institute within the past decade show that cancer patients who exercise regularly have less fatigue, better aerobic capacity, and greater strength than those who do not exercise. There are times though when patients will not be able to perform such strenuous activities, and all exercise plans should be discussed with their oncologists.
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