Exercises and Cervical Cancer: Decoding the Relation

According to a case study conducted by a US-Based study, it was summarized that physically inactive woman ran more chances of developing cervical cancer than the ones with minimalistic workouts and health-induced habits. The minimum requirement of physical activity is of 30 minutes per week, which also helps the reduce chances of cervical cancer.

There was a study conducted on 128 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 512 were evaluated with suspected cervical cancer but not diagnosed. When the results of the same were released, it was noticed that women who did not exercise were more prone to developing cervical cancer, even after differences were taken into account like family history of cancer, smoking, consumption of alcohol, and body mass index.

Benefits of Cancer Rehabilitation and Treatment
Some added benefits of exercising and cancer rehab is-

• Exercises increase the efficacy of cancer treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and medications. The exercise shows effectiveness at the cellular level during treatment like chemotherapy.
• It is a good way to combat the fatigue and negativity that comes with the disease.
• Exercise is known to increase cardiovascular fitness which plays a very important role in the betterment of a person during treatment.
• Prolonged exposure to treatment may lead to loss of muscle strength and difficulty in completing everyday tasks. Exercise can prove to help maintain muscle strength.
• Some types of exercises help in relaxing the body and finally help in getting good sleep. Sleep is a very vital element for recovery and exercise can help achieve that.
• Mental health improvement, we know that exercising releases endorphins in the body, which helps a person stay mentally strong during a tough time like this and eventually gets them through the emotionally and physically taxing treatment.
• It helps maintain a routine, without which a person might seem lost and devastated mentally and physically.

Post Treatment benefits of Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise

Post-surgery women can have issues like bladder or bowel control, pelvic muscle weakness, pain in the pelvic area, and reduced movement and pain and scarring.

Exercise effects

• Exercise can reduce chances of relapse or risk of recurrence.
• It is also one of the main treatment plans for the reduction of side effects post cervical cancer treatment.

It helps reduce these symptoms post-treatment

• Fatigue
• Self-esteem growth
• Depression
• Reduced density of bone mineral
• Anxiety or body issues
• Quality of life
• Lymphoedema
• Weight management
• Stress management

One of the best exercise recommendations: Pilates

It is known to be one of the best forms of exercise during cervical cancer rehab. It is easily modifiable according to the requirement and stage of rehabilitation.

They focus on deep core muscles like the pelvic floor, abdomen, spinal muscles, and diaphragm.

Exercise works wonders as an effective treatment for cervical cancer, through all stages. Even after a person has had cancer, can reduce the chances of death and recurrence.