Following cancer diagnosis, current treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But don’t be surprised if you’re also prescribed … exercise!
Exercise has been proven beneficial to cancer patients by:
- Reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy
- Reducing muscle wastage as exercise helps to manage body weight/mass which makes it more likely that the full course of chemotherapy will be tolerated and completed
- Improving bone density and range of motion in joints
- Helping patients have a deeper and more refreshing sleep
- Decreasing stress and anxiety and giving patients a sense of control
- Improving quality of life and cancer outcomes
- Decreasing risk of cancer recurrence
The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) recommends patients aim for 20-30 minutes of cardio/aerobic exercise three to five days per week, in addition to two to three strength-training sessions, supervised by a health professional such as an exercise physiologist or a physiotherapist.
Exercise physiologists Kirsty McRae and Lachlan Terry have been employed at the ONJ Centre to promote, engage and grow the culture of exercise for people with cancer.
“An exercise physiologist prescribes exercise just as you’d prescribe a medicine like Panadol or Aspirin,” says Lachlan. “Individualised programs are prescribed based on a patient’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, personal goals and preferences.”
The ONJ Centre is excited to incorporate exercise into treatment for patients. We were delighted to receive funding recently from the Dry July Foundation and VIP Fitness to help establish a gym and equipment right here in the ONJ Centre. This will give many patients the opportunity to have exercise as part of their treatment, helping them access the extraordinary benefits of exercise during their cancer journey.
For more information about our exercise program phone (03) 9496 9980 or email
onjexercise@austin.org.au