According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. In
2020, almost 10 million deaths were attributed to this disease, the most frequent being breast,
lung, colon, rectal and prostate cancer.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP PATIENTS ALEVIATE THE EFFECTS OF CANCER?
Beyond the statistics and the recommendations issued by the different associations worldwide,
people affected by a cancer diagnosis experience pain, decreased quality of life associated with
symptoms related to the disease and treatment.
Physical therapy is the branch of medicine that is responsible for improving the qualities of
movement in all stages of life and maintaining a maximum level of independence.
Physical therapists in conjunction with other health professionals, are responsible for treating
symptoms derived from the oncological process such as:
* Pain
* Fatigue
* Mobility restrictions
* Muscle loss
* Obesity
* Scars
* Postural changes
* Return to physical activity
* Fibrosis
* Neuropathies
* Lymphedema
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVING YOUR HEALTH
Thee dissemination of information on prevention and risk reduction factors is vital since at least
one third of common cancers can be prevented through a healthy diet, reduced tobacco use and
physical exercise.
The American Cancer Society in an article issued in 2020, reports through observational studies
that 1.5% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States during 2014 in men and 4.4% of all cancers
diagnosed in women are attributable to physical inactivity, as are 1.4% of all cancer deaths in men
and 3.0% of all cancer deaths in women.
The same medium points out that physical activity affects several systemic functions that would
reduce the risk of specific types of cancer, including its effects on insulin/glucose metabolism,
immune function, inflammation, sex hormones, and oxidative stress.
We can define sedentary behavior as any waking state that is characterized by minimal energy
expenditure, for example: office work, driving a vehicle, looking at any mobile device.
For its part, physical activity tells us about any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that
requires energy expenditure, such as the simple fact of moving from one place to another, and in
the case of exercise, we refer to a variety of physical activity, but which is planned, structured,
repetitive and carried out with different objectives such as establishing a routine.
The WHO (World Health Organization) issues some general recommendations on physical
activities, for example:
* Children and adolescents from 5 to 17 years of age should spend at least an average of 60 minutes
a day in moderate to intense physical activities.
* Adults 18 to 64 years of age should engage in moderate aerobic physical activity for at least 150 to
300 minutes; or intense aerobic physical activities for at least 75 to 150 minutes.
People with chronic illnesses (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, HIV, and cancer survivors) should
engage in moderate aerobic physical activity for at least 150 to 300 minutes; or vigorous aerobic
physical activity for at least 75 to 150 minutes; or an equivalent combination of moderate and
vigorous activities throughout the week.
The guidance of a health professional will help not only to control the relationship between your
weight and your diet, but also to raise awareness about the selection of healthy habits as part of
daily life.
