When people are first dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, exercise usually falls far down their list of priorities. Just a little exercise, as little as fifteen minutes a week, however, can make a crucial difference in preventing permanent disability, especially among people with cancer who are over the age of 65.
Researchers at the Texas Medical Center in Houston studied 641 volunteers who had cancer in the RENEW (Reach-out to ENhancE Wellness) trial. All were 65 or older, had been diagnosed with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer at least five years prior with no evidence of recurrence, were overweight or obese, and had no medical conditions prohibiting moderate exercise.
The doctors tried to get volunteers in the test group to exercise 30 minutes a day. They actually persuaded the volunteers in the test group to get just 15 minutes more exercise each week, increasing their average from 29 minutes to 44 minutes-just 2 minutes a day. That 2 minutes a day, or 15 minutes a week, however, was enough to increase lower-body strength. Stronger muscles in the legs, of course, make falls and broken bones far less likely, even when bones are weakened by cancer.
Lead researcher Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried said that these findings are important because cancer survivors who exercised had much better ability to stand up, walk, and function on their own. They were more independent and had a much higher quality of life. Just a few minutes of exercise each day may make the difference between living in assisted care and living independently.
by Robert Rister
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