Patients who exercise daily and eat a proper diet while receiving treatments for breast and prostate cancer may improve their overall health, according to a study that will be presented at this years annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology.
A team of researchers enrolled a total of 50 participants into the trial, which included 30 female breast cancer patients and 20 male patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The participants were aged 35 to 80 years, and were either currently receiving cancer treatment or treatment-free for one year.
Following health screenings at the start of the study, each patient was recommended a specific exercise and diet plan that was based on their weight, overall health as well as what time of cancer treatment they were receiving.
The results of the trial showed that patients who were receiving treatment and following appropriate diet and exercise habits were less fatigued and didnt experience as many side effects caused by the cancer treatments.
Eleanor M. Walker, division director of breast services at Henry Ford Hospital, stated that “using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects.”
In 2009, more than 560,000 patients in the U.S. died from cancer, the American Cancer Association reports.