Cancer and Cancer Treatments - Research Paper Example

?Deryl Felder October 15, Professional Foundations of Exercise Science Exercise in Cancer Patients Introduction While the diagnoses among chronic diseases are becoming more prevalent among Americans today, it is imperative for our society to continue researching the most effective methods in treating and preventing these various diseases. Cancer, being one of the highest causes of death in the U.S today, is a chronic disease that needs to be further assessed in how it can be successfully treated. In the past, many believed the best treatment for cancer patients included rest and reduced physical activity; however, today, as more research is being conducted, many are finding and figuring out the various health benefits connected to engaging in physical activity within those who are diagnosed with chronic diseases. Therefore, in comparison to previous recommendations for those diagnosed with chronic diseases, participating in certain physical activities can bring about many advantages and benefits for cancer patients. Background Information Cancer and cancer treatments have the effects of inflicting the feeling of tiredness among its patients. Cancer patients are thus encouraged by medical doctors to regularly exercise since exercises are considered safe and significant in improving their physical conditions and quality of life. However, some types of cancer and treatments do not allow exercising, thus stressing the importance of proper consultations with doctors prior to or in the course of the training programs. Medical reports indicate that demonstrate that cancer and its treatments are capable of causing mental, physical and social issues affecting their bodies and qualities of life. Exercises can help with the recovery and immense reduction of the of the common side effects of treatments such as nausea, fatigue, depression, muscle weaknesses, and anxiety by; enhancing muscles’ strengths and endurance, effectively reducing cancer-related fatigues and increasing energy, enhancing bone density and range of motion of the joints, improving appetite, lessening nausea and vomiting in some individuals on chemotherapies, increased respiratory and cardiovascular functions, initiate refreshening and deeper sleeps, enhanced feelings of control over patients’ lives, improved digestion and reduced constipations, reduced levels of stress and anxieties, and improved mood. From these benefits, it is also important to note the benefits of good nutrition practices in the creation of healthy and active lifestyles. After approval by an oncologist, a patient is encouraged to work in have with a physiotherapist or physiologist before actively starting to any new exercise programs. The advantage of this is that these healthcare professionals and qualified in providing recommended assessments and screening (a technique meant for identifying individuals with medical conditions which may hinder or put such patients in conditions or higher risks of experiencing health complications in the event of the physical exercising activities), which are deemed to provide accurate guidance and advice for ensuring that the proposed exercise is successful and safe. Medical explanations of the reasons for assessments and screening are that they are filters and/or safety nets that facilitate decision making on the potential benefits of exercising as opposed to the risks that are likely to be experienced. For a positive outcome of exercising, one should: Start with a lighter pace and relatively lower intensities. In the event of weak or fatigue feelings, it is recommended that one starts with a gradual but slower program, lasting for a shorter duration of time (about ten minutes light-intensity exercise session each day); build towards moderate-intensity exercise after completing treatments or as one continues with treatments. This is a level of effort which requires that a patient is able to experience changes in his/her breathing and heart beat rates; a gradual shift into twenty to thirty minutes moderate-intensity physical activities virtually every day of the week; proceed with the exercise prior to treatment and diagnosis, after approval by the your medical doctors, after their recommendations which may require a reduction in the level of intensity, frequency and duration of the exercise, and; be cautious on when to exercise. It never advisable to continue with intensive exercises even one feel exhausted, but rather to just take short strolls and little stretches. Objective This case study helps in the investigation of whether exercise can help in a cancer patient to deal with the predominant cancer conditions by decreasing risks of some types of cancers, i.e., breast cancer and colon cancer by boosting the immune systems, encouraging regular production of the white blood cells with the body for defense purposes, minimizing time spent by patients in hospitals, and enhancing survival rates in the types of cancers identified, in some instances. Hypothesis If cancer patients engage in regular and consistent physical activity, then their chances of beating the specific cancer they are diagnosed with will highly increase. Methodology This study targeted individuals who had been newly diagnosed with primary invasive colon and breast cancers. Besides individuals diagnosed of unilateral breast and colon cancers an age twenty years to eighty years, who showed no history of breast cancer, were also eligible to take part in the exercise and no exclusions based on the types of treatments received was made. Testing techniques (Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy), were used by the medical doctors to take down the medical conditions of the patients, and questionnaires sent to respective participants for subsequent and continuous assessment of their progress. Sampling strategy A stratified, random sample population of 30 eligible individuals living within a range of 50 kilometers was selected within duration of one year. All the cancer diagnoses responded to the basic requirement Queensland Cancer Registry to provide the actual and accurate sampling frame for recruiting women recently diagnosed with the cancer conditions pre-established. Recruiting and sampling procedures were employed to identify some of the eligible cases on a monthly basis. Validity and reliability of the testing techniques used The reliability and validity of the personal questions on their questionnaires that all form the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), illustrated good reproducibility of 80 percent agreement, with a vigorous activity question which also effectively demonstrated an excellent reliability rate of 94 percent agreement. In addition, the strength related activity question further indicated a good score in validity testing when compared to one week physical activities log of rate of p Read More