It’s long been common knowledge that exercise is good for your health. In the case of cancer patients, however, it has not been seen as necessary – in fact, physical activity has been frowned upon by many, insisting that patients should be conserving their energy during oncology treatment.
There is now mounting evidence that exercise is not only beneficial for cancer patients, but in fact, it may be a vital key in improving their response to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy. The evidence is so strong that the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), has released a position statement recommending that:
- Exercise should be embedded as a standard practice in cancer care as it helps counteract the adverse effects of cancer and its’ treatment
- Members of multidisciplinary cancer teams should promote physical activity and patients should adhere to exercise guidelines, and
- Best practice cancer care is to include a referral to an accredited exercise physiologist and-or physiotherapist with experience in cancer care
Research has shown that physical exercise not only has a significant impact on symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and pain management, but it is actually resulting in a decreased mortality rate among cancer patients.
Larger cancer care centres, including the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney have designated exercise physiology units, but until recently, very few allied health practitioners in regional areas have had specific training in working with cancer patients.
Kylie Moffitt, a Wollongong- based exercise physiologist and physiotherapist, was inspired when she attended a training conference in 2016 and learned about the amazing impact that exercise programs were having on cancer treatment. She went on to develop the Illawarra’s first specific cancer exercise and education program, "CanConquer", which she began running out of her existing premises at Physiohealth Sports and Injury Clinic in Corrimal. With the support of local oncologists including Professor Philip Clingan, Kylie has now opened a designated CanConquer clinic, located only 400m from Wollongong Hospital.
"The research has shown that exercise is particularly effective when done immediately before or after cancer treatments. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get here and complete their program with us"
The CanConquer team includes accredited exercise physiologists, physiotherapists and a dietician, all of whom have completed additional qualifications in working with cancer patients. They have specific training in breast and prostate cancer but have experience with many other types of cancers.
Kylie is a guest speaker at the I Am Woman Health Forum presented by BreastAware Australian later this month. She hopes to spread the word about the importance of incorporating exercise in to standard oncology treatment to give Illawarra cancer patients the best chance of positive outcomes.
For those interested in learning more about the effect of exercise on cancer treatment, Kylie recommends the ABC’s Catalyst episode, "Exercise and Cancer". Patients can enquire about the CanConquer program via their website at www.canconquer.com.au or by calling (02) 4207 9999. ---
