In Hungary, a significant proportion of people do very little physical activity in their daily lives, and this is often reduced even further after a cancer diagnosis.
But it's never too late to start: a growing body of scientific evidence shows that cancer patients who exercise regularly and intensively have better chances of recovery and survival, and live longer and better than those who are passive.
CAN WE (ALSO) FIGHT CANCER THROUGH SPORT?
Regular and enjoyable exercise has a very positive effect on the human body. As well as protecting against the harmful effects of stress, it stimulates the immune system, reduces blood sugar levels and excess oestrogen and testosterone, which can stimulate the growth of many types of cancer. Not to be overlooked is the fact that it is also very beneficial psychologically.
People facing serious illness often struggle with depression. For them too, exercise can be beneficial because it can keep negative thoughts from surfacing. Exercise stimulates the cells that can fight cancer: in effect, it strengthens the body's ability to heal itself. This is why exercise is also called "cancer prevention". You just have to do it right!
Of course, it does matter what kind of exercise you do or how you do it. For example, running down to the shops or three laps of the shopping centre does not count as exercise.
Studies show that the amount of exercise that can help to fight the disease or prevent a recurrence is different for each type of cancer.
MANY HOSPITALS HAVE PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, SO IT IS WORTH ASKING THEM FOR HELP IN TEACHING A RANGE OF MOVEMENTS THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT YOUR CURRENT STATE OF HEALTH, ANY CO-MORBIDITIES, COMPLAINTS AND OPTIONS.
