Regular exercise should be part of cancer care for all patients

Including Exercise and Exercise in ESM 2018 Congress in Munich. Even among patients at highest risk of poor quality of life, exercise can make a difference.

More than 3,500 patients with cancer already in each year at over 80 cancer centers in France, at a cost of approximately € 400 per patient, and the number continues to rise, explained Dr. Thierry Bouillet, Medical Oncologist, Ile de France , American Hospital of Paris, Neuilly Sur Seine, France, and author of one of the new studies. Clbades are run by trainers with specialist knowledge of cancer and its treatment.

"We have found that patients get the greatest benefit when they are in their first week of life, and then they do not know how to do it." "said Bouillet.

"With 20 years' experience, we have also seen that patients find it easier to exercise their health. trainers who do not know about the special needs of patients with cancer, "added Bouillet.

In one of the French studies to be presented at ESMO, twice-weekly, 60-minute strength training and aerobic exercise clbades significantly reduced pain and fatigue scores at 3 and 6 months in 114 patients undergoing cancer treatment, 83% for bad cancer and 21 % with metastatic disease. Fatigue scores fell from 3.3 at baseline to 2.8 (p

There were also significant reductions in body fat, while lean body mbad remained stable. In the overall group, fat mbad fell from 33.9% at baseline to 33.2% at 3 months (p

"Patients are often fatigued and have started to lose muscle before they are diagnosed with cancer, which is why it is necessary to start with these symptoms. help with the side effects of treatment, "said Bouillet.

In a second study to be presented at ESMO 2018, researchers are not only reported to the value of exercise for cancer patients, but they are able to identify patients at .

In the study of 2525 patients with stage I-III bad cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy, those who took 75 minutes of vigorous or 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week had significantly better overall quality of life at six and 12 months after treatment than those who were inactive (Table 1). They also had better physical well-being and less fatigue, bread and breathlessness. Vigorous exercise included such activities as aerobics dance, heavy gardening or fast swimming, while moderate exercise included brisk walking, water aerobics or volleyball.

"Around 60% of patients were actively active before and after chemotherapy, and their quality of life was adversely affected by chemotherapy. Antonio Di Meglio, study author and Medical Oncologist, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France.

The study showed that patients who had a mastectomy or additional illnesses, had a low incidence of cancer, but they were also at risk of poor quality of life.

"Using a novel approach, we showed that it is possible to identify bad cancer patients with these patients. added Di Meglio.

Commenting from ESMO, Dr. Gabe Sonke, Medical Oncologist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, underlined the importance of the French studies in demonstrating the value of physical therapy in everyday clinical practice, previously seen in clinical trials and supported by ESMO recommendations for exercise as part of standard care for all cancer survivors.

"The insights from the new studies in patients with metastatic bad cancer are particularly timely in a larger study," he said.

Sonke pointed out that this and other studies are more likely to be effective than other types of physical activity.

"Insurers may ask why they should pay for exercise for cancer patients, but they may not pay for it." strengthen our case for payment, "said Sonke.

It also means that patients who are not actively engaged in the exercise of their those with low income and less healthy lifestyle. "The new results must encourage us to be more inclusive so that all patients can benefit from a better life of life during chemotherapy," he concluded.

Explore further:
New research shows benefits of exercise for first time in advanced lung cancer