2. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Overview
Primary Cancer Prevention
Rationale for using exercise
Exercise as a form of treatment
Contraindications
Implications
The use of interventions
3. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Cancer
Cancer is a general term for a number of
conditions in which cells grow out of control.
Partial or complete lack of structural organisation
Lacks functional coordination with the normal
tissue
Usually forms a distinct mass of tissue that may
be either benign or malignant
2 million survivors in UK
46% female C breast/31% male C prostate
Colon, hematological, endometrial each 10%
4. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Stem Cells
http://stemcells.nih
.gov/info/Regenera
tive_Medicine/pag
es/2006chapter9.a
spx
Image from:
5. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Primary Prevention
Colorectal Cancer (Thune & Furberg, 2001)
40,000 patients; 10%-70% reduction in incidence
Decreased bowel transit time
Breast Cancer (Thune & Furberg, 2001)
108,000 patients; 30% risk reduction (In 26/41
studies)
Endometrial
8/12 studies show 20-80% reduction
Prostate, Ovarian, Testicular
Possible inconclusive reductions
6. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Potential Mechanisms
Modulation of reproductive hormone levels
Decrease in body weight and adiposity
Changes in levels of IGFs and binding proteins
Decrease in inflammation
Decrease in intestinal transit time
Enhanced immune function
(Bouchard et al 2012)
7. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Breast Cancer
Menarche,
1st
pregnancy,
Menopause,
Postmenopa
use
9. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Cancer Treatments
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
(Durstine et al, 2009
10. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Cancer Effects (cancer or treatment)
Fatigue
Weight changes
Urinary bowel problems
Peripheral neuropathy
Osteoporosis
Cardiotoxicity
Lymphoedema
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Anxiety
Depression
Difficulty with memory
11. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Exercise and survival
Evidence that Cancer survivors die of non-
cancer causes at a higher rate than general
population.
Those that exercise...
Breast Cancer
24-67% reduction in total deaths
50-53% reduction in risk of breast cancer deaths
Colon Cancer
50-63% reduction in risk of total deaths
39-59% decrease risk of colon cancer deaths
(see Irwin, 2009)
12. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Exercise as a treatment
(Speck, 2010)
13. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Biological Markers
Insulin
Insulin levels linked to risk of death
25% in insulin levels = 5% in survival rate
Overweight
Breast and prostate may be overweight
Head, neck, gastric may be underweight
14. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Fatigue
Up to 70% of patients report loss of energy.
1/3 of survivors experience fatigue for years
(Dimeo, 1999)
Multi-faceted
Tumour-related
Conditional-related
Disease-related
16. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Breast Cancer
Large number of studies
Lymphedema...
Caution taken with pain in arm or shoulder
Compression garments
Increased risk of fracture
18. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Prostate Cancer
By the age of 80, about half of all men will
have some cancer cells in their prostate
Only 1 in 25 of them will die from prostate
cancer.
Leading cause of death in prostate is
Cardiovascular disease
Screening
19. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Prostate Cancer and exercise
Aerobic Fitness
Muscular Strength
Body Size and composition
QOL
Fatigue
Physical Function – Pelvic Floor Exercises
Sexual function
Fracture Potential
21. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Physical Activity Levels in
survivors
Many not be active enough pre-cancer
Reduction in activity levels on diagnosis
Intuitive/medical advice to “take it easy”
Less than ½ return to pre-diagnosis levels
A teachable moment?? (Demark-Wahnefried et al, 2005)
26. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Psychosocial benefits
Mood
Functional Independence
Self-esteem
Sense of control
27. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Our work
http://vimeo.com/69834141
28. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Health Behaviour Change
Transtheoretical model. What stage?
Social Cognitive Theory
Mastery experiences
Modelling
Verbal persuasion
Physiological states and affect
29. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Strategies to increase PA
(Irwin,
2009)
30. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Jones’ experiences
311 survivors (breast, prostate colorectal, lung)
84% would prefer to receive ex counselling during cancer
experience.
Only 28% reported that oncologist raised issue of exercise.
14% raised issue themselves.
Of 42%, 14% referred to ex specialist
Only 16% in total reported exercising at recommended level
(Jones et al, 2002)
Most want to receive exercise counselling but variety of
interventions and methods key
31. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Intervention Content
Group v Individual
Adherence rates high
“brothers in arms” (Adamsen et al, 2001)
Home Exercise
Adherence acceptable
32. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Adherence (Vallance et al , 2008)
Exercise promotion booklet (n=377)
Random allocation
Booklet
Pedometer
Booklet and pedometer
Standard recommendation to increase PA
PA ↑ ~90min/wk in 2 pedometer groups
6 months later
↓ in all groups
Pedo’s ~50 min/wk more than baseline but standard 9
min/wk more (not sign diff.)
Click the
booklet to
go to it
online
33. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Implications of evidence
“What can I do to improve my
survival?”
Improved treatment
Return on investment for NHS funding??
34. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Marjon Projects
Prostate Cancer
Hematological Cancer
Exercise Referral Scheme for Cancer
Survivors
35. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Conclusions
Stage Evidence
During Cancer treatment PA improves, or prevents the decline
of physical function without
increasing
After cancer treatment PA helps recover physical function
During and after cancer treatment PA can reduce the risk of cancer
recurrence and mortality for some
cancers and can reduce teh risk of
developing other long term conditions
Advanced cancer PA can help maintain independence
and wellbeing
Click here for link
36. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Issues with evidence
QoL, fatigue subjectively measured
Multiple natures of diagnosis, conditions, ages
PA at different stages of life
38. SHSM022/ BJ Exercise and Cancer Survivorship
Further reading
www.benjanefitness.com – Click here for Exercise and Cancer page
Ehrman, J., Gordon, P., Visich, P.S., Keteyianby, S. (2009) Clinical Exercise Physiology
(2nd Ed) Champaign IL: Human Kinetics
Durstine, J.L. et al (2009) ACSM's exercise management for persons with chronic
diseases and disabilities (3rd Ed) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics [google books]
Irwin, M.L. (2009) Physical activity interventions for cancer survivors. Br J Sports Med
Vol.43, 32-8 [full text]
Schwartz, A.J. (2005) Cancer Fitness: Exercise Programmes for patients and survivors.
New York, NY: Fireside [amazon][amazon preview]
Swain, D.P. & Leutholtz, B.C. (2007) Exercise Prescription: A case study approach to
the ACSM Guidelines (2nd Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
2m expected to rise by 3% each year (Maddams, 2009)
More likely to contract cv and diabetes disease
5% in survival rate same as chemo
1/3 or more of physical decloine attributed to inactivity
Inactivity also leads to joint imobility, osteoporosis, balance loweed pain threshold
Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancers can be there for years before they are found. This type of cancer can often grow very slowly indeed and may not cause any symptoms at all during a man's lifetime. By the age of 80, about half of all men will have some cancer cells in their prostate, but only 1 in 25 of them will actually die from prostate cancer. On the other hand, some types of prostate cancer are faster growing and can spread to other parts of the body.
Fatigue
The most commonly reported side effect of cancer treatment is fatigue.
Some considerations
Plan a progressive programme and try to stick to it, this means that youshould try to avoid overdoing it at times when you feel at your best.
Make a list of chores that you need doing, prioritise them and then ask friends and family to help you out. This will prevent you from becoming unnecessarily tired and from being unable to complete your exercise programme.
Nausea
On their own, or in combination, chemotherapy and radiation can cause nausea and/or sickness which is why it is important for survivors to take anti-nausea medication if it is prescribed. If this medication is not working then it is important to let the healthcare team know so they might make adjustments to the dose or prescription. Some other tips that might work are as follows:
Hot foods can have stronger odours, so eating cold or room temperature foods can sometimes help.
Drink lots of fluids and try a range of flavours as some may be more palatable than others.
Avoid fatty, spicy, fried or excessively sweet foods as these may increase the feeling of nausea.
Bland foods such as crackers, rice and pasta may help.
Keeping the mouth clean by brushing twice a day and rinsing the mouth with salt water can help.
Mouth Sores
Many of treatments used in chemotherpay and immunotherapy are unable to target only the Cancer cells and target a broad range of rapidly dividing cells in the body. This can result in the hair follicles and lining of the mouth and stomach from being damaged leaving the digestive tract red and painful. Some tips for managing this side effect are as follows:
Gently brush the gums, tongue and top of the mouth.
Keep the lips coated with a water-based lip moisturiser.
Lymphedema
Lymph nodes are important in the proper functioning of the immune system and are found all over the body. They act as filters or traps for foreign particles and are packed full of white blood cells. Lymphedema is caused by a blockage of the lymph nodes and is a swelling that is usually found in the armpit or groin area.
It's a good idea to monitor any changes by measuring the extremity in question regularly.
Any swollen extremity can be elevated at least 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day.
Exercise, self-massage and gentle stretching can move the fluid toward the body.
Unaccustomed heavy lifting should be avoided although with careful exercise programming on a cautious timescale, lifting weights can still be possible.
Peripheral Neuropathy
This is a loss of sensation that usually occurs in the fingers, hands, toes and feet and can make tasks such as dressing, eating and walking difficult.
Radiation Dermititis
Radiation therapy can result in skin irritation, itchiness, redness and peeling. If an exerciser has patches of dermititis then activity can result in sweat aggravating these areas. It may be beneficial to take steps to avoid sweating excessively such as exercising outdoors or in shorter bouts, or to cover the area with a gauze.
Constipation
Whilst some medications can cause constipation, it can be a result of reduced activity levels, dietary changes or decreased fluid intake. Some ideas for avoiding constipation are below:
Eat foods that are high in fibre, and lots of fruit and vegetables.
Try to develop a daily routine so there is a regular time for bowel movements.
Drink plenty of fluids
Diarrhoea
Radiation therapy to the bowel area or certain forms of chemotherapy can cause diarrhoea. There are some actions one can take to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea below:
Avoid eating foods high in fibre, fatty foods, rich desserts, or other foods that increase boewl activity.
If diarrhoea occurs after meals, plan activities accordingly.
Increase the intake of fluids.
Infection
chemotherapy and immunotherapy can cause low blood counts and immunosupression. At times where the blood count is low it may be sensible to ensure high levels of personal hygiene are maintained and that large group situations, or classes, are avoided.
Mode of activity
As a result of disease, some patients may have weakness to their bones. Those with disease to the pelvis or lower legs should avoid high-impact exercise and may benefit from seated exercise such as cycling or chair exercises. Exercising in the water may also be an option for these individuals.
Water-based activities will be suitable for some and not for others. Those with intravenous catheters, nephrostomy tubes, and urinary bladder catheters may not be able to use a pool but those with indwelling central venous catheters, continent urinary devices, or colostomies may be able to. (Ehrman, 2009)
Additional considerations
An exercise buddy system that pairs up a novice survivor/exerciser with a more experienced partner can provide support and improve initial adherence to any programme.
Identifying barriers to exercise and jointly devising some strategies to overcome these barriers can be an efficient use of time at the start of any exercise programme.