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As discussed in Cancer and Exercise Part 2, every individual’s type of cancer, severity and treatment is different, and each individual has different health status prior to the cancer diagnosis. This may affect the individual’s ability to participate in exercise. Cancer treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, anti-hormonal therapy and targeted therapy or immunotherapy. There are potential impacts from surgery and/or treatments that may also affect the individual’s ability to participate in exercise. These include:
- Cardiovascular changes
- Worsening bone health – osteopenia or osteoporosis
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Muscle mass loss
- Nausea and/or diarrhea
- Impaired immune function and/or anemia
- Development of metabolic syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Cognitive changes
- Altered lung function
- Skin redness, irritation or rashes
- Fatigue
- Lymphedema
- Pain
Cancer survivors may benefit from professional physical therapy advice on the initiation and progression of an individualized exercise program.