Exercise Improves Quality Of Life For Cancer Survivors

Exercise Improves Quality Of Life For Cancer Survivors

Media Release | Physiotherapy New Zealand

A review published by international research organisation the Cochrane Collaboration, shows exercise programmes can improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.(1)

The review looked at the effect of exercise on the areas that make up quality of life (including tiredness, anxiety, emotional health) among people who had finished cancer treatments.

Results showed exercise can improve overall quality of life including; reducing worry about the patients cancer, helping deal with emotions or sleep problems, improving body image and reducing anxiety and pain at different times during and after the exercise programme.

Physiotherapy New Zealand President Gill Stotter says the review shows a side of physical therapy that is often undervalued.

“When people start a prescribed exercise programme it’s often for the most obvious benefits such as increasing mobility, or losing weight.”

“What this review highlights is the far greater impact exercise has on quality of life. Little considered facts like reducing your worry about a serious disease or even helping lessen your pain.”

“For cancer survivors, who have already been through so much, exercise can be a cost-effective and simple way to improve how they feel.”

“Other studies have shown exercise can reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer(2), so it can become a preventative measure as well.”

For more information on how physiotherapy can help visit www.physiotherapy.org.nz.

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Notes to editors

1. Cochrane Collaboration, Intervention Review, August 2012: Exercise interventions on health-related qualify of life for cancer survivors
• The review included 40 trials with a total of 3,694 people.
Online link:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007566.pub2/abstract;jsessionid=BCEFB651EA0E2BBFC6E723415D01BF57.d01t03

2. Physical Activity and Cancer: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/physicalactivity

About Physiotherapy New Zealand
We are a national membership organization providing advocacy, information and services to more than 3,000 physiotherapists in New Zealand, www.physiotherapy.org.nz.

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