MUNICH, October 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Including exercise as part of cancer
care can significantly improve symptom management, quality of life
and fitness during and after treatment, French researchers
concluded in presentations at the ESMO 2018 Congress. Even among
patients at highest risk of poor quality of life, exercise can make
a difference.
Thierry Bouillet, American
Hospital of Paris, France: "More
than 3,500 cancer patients already participate in exercise
programmes each year at over 80 cancer centres in France, at a cost of approximately €400 per
patient, and the number continues to rise. Classes are run by
trainers with specialist knowledge of cancer and its treatment who
can adapt exercise programmes to individual needs."
"With 20 years' experience, we have seen that patients find it
easier to exercise in on-site classes and feel more secure than if
we give them exercise information and leave them to do it
themselves or go to classes away from the hospital with trainers
who do not know about the special needs of patients with cancer,"
added Bouillet.
In another study of 2,525 breast cancer patients undergoing
adjuvant chemotherapy, those who took 75 minutes of vigorous or 150
minutes of moderate exercise per week had significantly better
overall quality of life than those inactive. Vigorous exercise
included activities such as aerobic dance, heavy gardening or fast
swimming, while moderate exercise included brisk walking, water
aerobics or volleyball.
Antonio Di Meglio, Institut
Gustave Roussy, France: "Around
60% of patients were physically active before and after
chemotherapy; although their quality of life was adversely affected
by chemotherapy, they scored consistently better on a variety of
physical, emotional and symptom scales than those who were
inactive."
"We can now target patients whose quality of life will be worst
affected by chemotherapy for dedicated interventions including
those aimed at increasing physical activity to WHO-recommended
levels."
Gabe Sonke, Netherlands Cancer
Institute, Netherlands, for ESMO:
"This and other studies are endeavouring to confirm early signs
that physical activity programmes may improve adherence to
chemotherapy and radiotherapy and thus improve treatment outcomes.
We know that patients who are already active are getting into these
exercise programmes, but those who are not are missing out,
particularly those with low income and less healthy lifestyle. The
new results must encourage us to focus on how to be more inclusive
so that all patients can benefit from exercise in improving quality
of life during chemotherapy."
Full story: https://bit.ly/2AiYD8W
ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical
oncology. With 18,000 members representing oncology professionals
from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference
for oncology education and information.
Vanessa Pavinato, media@esmo.org,
+41(0)91-973-19-04
SOURCE European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)