Cancer Exercise Specialists

Cancer is a debilitating and often deadly disease, although the World Health Organization says that “many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated effectively.” There are more than 100 types of cancer. After heart disease, it is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the mortality rate is high for some cancers, many people who are diagnosed with cancer live for many years past their initial diagnosis, and many people’s cancers go into long-term or permanent remission as a result of cutting-edge treatments. But the progress of the disease and treatments can negatively affect the human body, causing loss of strength, function, range of motion, energy, and aerobic capacity, as well as loss of limbs, among other issues. Cancer exercise specialists work with cancer patients to help them address these issues and improve their overall health. Studies have found that regular exercise during cancer treatment can reduce pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety; increase range of motion; improve treatment tolerance; increase the ability of the body to heal; lower the risk or severity of lymphoedema (a long-term chronic condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissues; it is often caused or worsened by cancer); prevent and/or manage diabetes, osteoporosis, and damage to the heart and lungs following chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapies; and even help patients whose cancer is in remission return to pre-treatment levels of fitness and strength.

A cancer patient must be cleared for exercise by their oncologist or family physician before being allowed to participate in an exercise regimen. Once the patient receives approval, they meet with a cancer exercise specialist for a consultation. The specialist completes a physical evaluation that includes a neuromuscular assessment, balance and functional screening, and other assessments to determine the health of the patient. The specialist asks the client questions about specific problem areas, levels of pain, degree of flexibility and endurance, and other topics, as well as their goals for the exercise program, in order to better understand their needs. CESs are knowledgeable about the entire cancer process—from diagnosis and treatment to recovery. With this information, the CES creates a personalized treatment/exercise plan that also factors in the client’s diagnosis, stage of treatment, and current health condition.

The specialist leads the client—via one-on-one and group sessions—through an exercise regimen that aims to attain certain goals (e.g., reduced pain, improved flexibility, increased strength). Classes focus on areas such as strength training, flexibility exercises, resistance training, cardiovascular training, balance and coordination exercises, and weight management strategies. Specialists educate their clients about proper body mechanics and how to adjust their workouts based on pain issues or changes in their medical condition. Cancer exercise specialists also check in with clients who are exercising independently to ensure that their efforts are going well and that the exercises are appropriate for their health condition. They may also help clients contact mental health professionals if they need this type of treatment.