Just like my kids, I need reminders, and I had a good one as I sipped my morning coffee. Browsing this weeks Physician’s Weekly, Dr. Elliot Coups pinned that proverbial note on my shirt, as he shared how health care professionals need to address exercise with lung cancer survivors.
Dr. Coups should know. He published a study with his colleague’s last winter that looked at 175 patients treated with surgery for early stage lung cancer. In his study, the benefits of exercise included:
- Better mood
- More Vigor
- Less shortness of breath
- Greater physical functioning
- Fewer limitations in daily activities
In his current article, Dr. Coups makes some points that I was grateful to hear. Many lung cancer survivors are older, and many have other medical conditions that may limit their exercise options – but the exercise he is talking about is not marathon training. He points out that walking briskly, yard work, or even gardening can be beneficial.
The article is addressed to medical personal, but is a great reminder for those living with lung cancer as well. If she doesn’t initiate the conversation, ask your oncologist about what types of activity might be beneficial for you. If you are wondering about how to exercise with lung cancer, join the conversation in our lung cancer forum to see what has worked for others, and share your tips.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sources:
Coups, E. Exercise Benefits Lung Cancer Survivors. Physician’s Weekly. August 17, 2009. Vol XXVI, No. 31.
Coups, E. et al. Physical Activity among Lung Cancer Survivors: Changes across the Cancer Trajectory and Associations with Quality of Life. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. 2009. 18(2):664-72.
