Stay Active, Beat Cancer! ~ Liz Davies

Here is a Guest Blog from an Awesome young lady! Thank you Liz!


Staying active is increasingly becoming a big part of the recovery process for cancer patients. Many people with cancer undergo more than one type of cancer treatment and exercises is proven to aid in weight management, increase pain tolerance, and also helps keep a positive mindset throughout the entire process. These are just a few ways exercise benefits cancer patients but it definitely proves that the days of resting in bed to get rid of an illness are gone! More evidence every day is being found to prove how much more beneficial an active lifestyle is compared to a sedentary one.

One major side effect of typical cancer treatments is the change in body mass. One can either go through a substantial weight loss or weight gain, and it is often hard to manage. Different treatments affect the body differently but patients also often go through bone and muscle mass loss as well as difficulty with weight management. It is important for people to keep an eye on these issues. Exercise is an excellent way to curb the effects of bone and muscle mass loss while maintaining a healthy, appropriate weight.

The most benefits from exercise will not come about if someone is doing the wrong amount. Too much or too little physical activity will not be beneficial. Doctors recommend cancer patients do the same amount of exercise they would if they were healthy. The suggested amount of exercise is about thirty minutes of moderate exercise a day. This should include different variations of stretching, cardio, and strength training. As a note of precaution: exercising in public places for people undergoing chemotherapy should be done with caution because the immune system is weakened at this time.

Not only are there many physical benefit of exercise for cancer patients but some of the biggest benefits are mental. Fighting cancer is a strenuous battle and any way people can focus on overcoming the disease and staying healthy is important. Exercise can be just the push in motivation cancer patients need to get through the stress of the disease.

Doctors will no longer be prescribing rest to cancer patients. Exercise will be a common form of treatment alongside the common forms of treatment like surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Exercise will be for people going through surgery for brain cancer to people receiving chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Physical activity will be seen as a way to help aid the body in the healing process.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.