Exercising with Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of endocrine cancer that is found in the pancreas and sometimes the surrounding tissue and organs. Approximately 44,030 people are diagnosed yearly with pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and more men tend to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than women. Exercise can help increase energy levels and may improve psychological health while you are facing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can leave you with concern about your health and your future. Treatment for pancreatic cancer differs per person. Depending on how healthy you are, how advanced the cancer is and how you respond to treatment are important factors in your treatment program and prognosis. Pancreatic cancer is rarely caught early. It is often not diagnosed until the final stages because it has such vague and common symptoms such as abdominal pain, appetite changes, weight loss, depression and jaundice. If you are feeling healthy enough, your doctor may recommend exercise as a way to help with depression and boost your immunity.

Exercise Benefits

There are several benefits to exercise in addition to helping you cope with cancer. Regular routine exercise can help combat fatigue – a side effect from both the cancer and often chemotherapy. Low to moderate exercise 5 days a week, up to 30 minutes a day can help you improve oxygen levels in your blood, reduce tiredness and provide more energy. The National Cancer Institute explains that exercise also helps with maintaining healthy muscles, joints and bones – all that can be adversely affected by pancreatic cancer.

Types

If your pancreatic cancer has left you with a low appetite and general malaise; you may not feel up to vigorous or moderate exercise. Take it slow and keep moving as much as you can to keep your heart rate up. Water therapy is a good way to relax your tired muscles and still keep your aerobic level up. Free style strokes or backstrokes are a good way to increase your water activity. Depending on your fitness level, start slow and take breaks as needed. Light gardening and walking are other ways you can get your physical activity in while still making it low-impact.

Precaution

Too much exercise can easily wear you down, especially if you have pancreatic cancer. Your body may be going through several changes in addition to the treatment you may be undergoing. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that pancreatic enzymes may be affected; creating malabsorption syndrome, along with impairing insulin production can make eating challenging and impair your strength. Ask your doctor about medications and vitamins to improve appetite and increase your stamina.

“Pancreatic Cancer,” American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic Staff, “Pancreatic Cancer,” MayoClinic.com
“Physical Activity and Cancer,” National Cancer Institute
“5 Tips for Beginner Freestylers,” Swim Smooth
JoAnn Coleman, RN, MS, ACNP, AOCN, “Nutrition,” Johns Hopkins Medicine



People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *