OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH
Protecting Your Vision

Exercise to Reduce Cancer Risks and Improve Prognosis
By Missy Hughes, Pilates Instructor and Owner, Elan Pilates

Lately it seems that exercise is the answer to nearly every health related issue. We cannot escape the realities that come with lack of exercise: obesity and lowered energy levels as well as lowered self esteem and increased incidence of disease. Can something as simple as exercise prevent cancer as well as improve the prognosis for cancer patients?

According to the Center for Disease Control, 20 percent of all cancers were related to obesity. The American Cancer Society has shown that men and women who devoted at least 30 minutes a day to dedicated exercise above and beyond the usual activities of daily life, at least five days a week, have a 30-40 percent reduced risk of developing cancer. It now seems that regular exercise even has a tremendous impact on improving prognosis as well by regulating hormones and proteins that may have deleterious effects on the immune system.

People who make exercise part of their everyday routine gain the most health advantages - and are most likely to continue. Pilates, a system of movement and therapeutic exercise developed in the early 1900’s by Joseph H. Pilates, is an effective and safe way to incorporate exercise into your daily life. With systematic practice of these exercises coupled with focused breathing patterns, Pilates has proven itself invaluable not only as a fitness endeavor itself, but also as an important adjunct to physical rehabilitation of all kinds. The Pilates method of exercise works the entire body systematically creating an over all sense of well being and fitness.

When practiced faithfully the benefits of Pilates are immeasurable. Increased lung capacity and circulation through deep, healthy breathing is a primary focus. Strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles, coordination-both muscular and mental, are key components of an effective Pilates program. Posture, balance, and core strength are all heartily increased. Bone density and joint health improve, and many experience positive body awareness for the first time. All benefits culminate in the overall ability to participate in daily life with confidence and vitality, including participation in a new endeavor or enduring the treatments for cancer.

There is no question that regular exercise is vital for good health. It stimulates the circulatory system, oxygenates the blood, aids lymphatic drainage, helps remove toxins and release endorphins (the "feel good" sensation) throughout the body. Proper breathing techniques help boost the immune system, which in turn provides greater resistance to illness and disease. It’s no wonder major researchers are proving that exercise can not only reduce the risk of cancer but also increase cancer patient’s odds for survival. PILATES, a fitness regime for a lifetime, is suitable for all ages and physical conditions, regardless of level of fitness.

Sources:

• Science Daily: Exercise Lowers Insulin in Breast Cancer Survivors
• BodyTrends.com: The Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Recovery
• NPI Center: Diet and Lifestyle Changes Improve Prostate Cancer Prognosis

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for “advice only”, and not meant to provide specific medical recommendations or replace the medical advice of your health care practitioner.

—September 2007

Back to September Wellness e-Letter