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REHABILITATION
average weekly basis. The studies showed that cancer survivors who walked an average of 3 – 5 hours per week at a moderate intensity significantly reduced the risk of the cancer coming back and thus improved their survival. The reasons why staying active and exercising appears to have a “protective effect” post-cancer diagnosis is not yet known. It is probably due to a combination of effects such as helping to maintain a healthy weight, controlling circulating hormone levels and other growth factors in the body and boosting the immune system.
Current guidelines Because of the diversity of this clinical population it is not possible to recommend one exercise prescription for all cancer survivors. There are over 200 different types of cancer and each person’s treatments will vary depending on what kind of cancer, where it is located in the body and whether it has spread. To date, there is an absence of expert consensus or position statements on the safety of exercise training in people with cancer.
Nevertheless, a set of guidelines based on existing evidence and clinical experience have been published in ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (8th edition 2010). These are compatible with the American Cancer Society’s recommendation of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity at least 5 days a week for cancer survivors.
Here in the UK, Skillsactive has recently completed the National Occupational Standards for all training programmes to provide qualifications in Level 4 Cancer Exercise Specialists. It is hoped that more exercise professionals will now be able to confidently and safely prescribe exercise programmes to assist the large number of cancer survivors keen to start an activity programme or return to exercise as a positive set back to recovery.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ONLINE TO EARN CPD POINTS Please login to the members area of the REPs website to give your answers
Q1 Q2
Q3
How long after treatment do people still report physical limitations? Is it: a) two years b) five years c) nine years
How many different types of cancer are there? Is it: a) over 200 b) over 300 c) over 400
What is the recommended level of activity for cancer survivors?
a) 20-40 mins 5 x a week b) 40-50 mins 5 x a week c) 30-60 mins 5 x a week
THE AUTHOR Dr Anna Campbell trained as scientist in
immunology and biochemistry at the universities of Glasgow and St Andrews and is currently an
honorary research fellow in the Department of Surgery, University of Glasgow. She is director of CanRehab – a company specialising in training health and fitness professionals in the UK interested in exercise-based cancer rehabilitation and she also teaches undergraduates in sports biomedicine at Dundee University.
Are you interested in providing safe and effective exercise classes for clients with cancer and becoming a specialist in exercise and cancer rehabilitation?
CanRehab leads the
way in providing cancer rehabilitation seminars, workshops and training
programmes in the UK. Get in touch with us to fi nd out more about our courses in your area.
Call:0845 4594618 or visit our website www.canrehab.co.uk
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● New
for 2010 a level 4 Cancer Rehabilitation Qualifi cation
● Earn CPD credits ● Increase
your GP referral potential