A research paper to be presented at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology on June 7 and now online at www.ASCO.org concluded that breast and prostate cancer patients who exercise regularly before and after cancer treatment report a better quality of life and less fatigue. Researchers at Henry Ford Cancer Center and Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute developed a program known as ExCITE (Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapies and Education). This program individualizes exercise programs for patients receiving cancer treatment and they can exercise at the Henry Ford Fitness Center or at home depending upon their stage of treatment treatment.
At present 30 female breast cancer patients and 20 prostate cancer patients between age 35 and 80 are part of the study. All were newly diagnoses when admitted to the study and were followed during and for 1 year following completion of their cancer treatment.
The patients exercise capacity, skeletal muscle strength and endurance were measured before the program started. In addition, general blood work, metabolic screens, bone density and inflammatory biomarkers were obtained before the program started.
Subjects were offered exercise and diet recommendations based upon their baseline exercise tolerance, weight, overall health and type of cancer treatment. For patients having hot flashes, nausea/vomiting, insomnia and neuropathy resulting from the cancer treatment acupuncture was used. Patients reported feeling better and having less fatigue as a result of the program that is ongoing.
