Every week, Dr Jean-Marc Sène, sports doctor, presents his sports column in Priorité Santé. Today, he explains to us how daily physical activity helps reduce the risk of developing many cancers, but also its role in the management of the disease.
4 mins
We now know that physical activity reduces the appearance of a large number of cancers. Here is the effectiveness of physical activity, practiced regularly, in preventing various cancers, according to ANSES and the WHO:
- Colon cancer: risk reduction by 25%
- Breast cancer: risk reduction of 10-27%
- Endometrial cancer: risk reduction by 20%
- Lung cancer: risk reduction of 20%
- Bladder cancer: risk reduction by 15%
- Esophageal cancer: risk reduction of 21%
- Kidney cancer: risk reduction of 12%
Physical exercise also helps limit weight gain, another risk factor for cancer. It also reduces by almost half the risk of recurrence for certain cancers (breast, colon and prostate).
When the illness is there, is it also beneficial to do physical activity?
Yes, when the disease is present, physical activity is also effective! In fact, she improves functional abilities, quality of life and quality of sleep cancer patients, for all types of cancer.
Physical activity reduces the side effects of treatments and reduces their toxicity, with an improvement in their medium and long-term effects. Contrary to some preconceived ideas, this will not make you more tired and it is even an effective solution to combat fatigue, if the activity is adapted to your needs and your condition.
In addition, practicing a group activity allows you to meet people and fight against isolation. The pleasure of discovering a new sport, of learning new techniques is also a source of happiness. And then starting and practicing a discipline requires a commitment… Keeping this commitment, setting goals within your reach, can restore confidence and self-esteem.
Finally, more generally, an activity that you enjoy can allow you to reconcile with your bodyto reclaim it, to do it good after the treatments undergone, to regain its tone and flexibility.
What type of physical activity can you do and how often when you have cancer?
Ideally, you should practice low to moderate intensity exercises. Remember that a moderate intensity activity is defined by the following sensation: “while sweating a little and being slightly out of breath, you are still able to speak. »
Each session should last at least 20-30 min of continuous or intermittent activity in 5-10 min periods. You can supplement your 30 minutes of daily activity with an hour of more vigorous exercise on the weekend. Nearly 2/3 of adults reach these recommendations, the majority of them men. Over the past 10 years, the level of physical activity has actually decreased among women.
But above all it is important to practice regularly, i.e. at least 3 to 5 times a week and if possible daily.
The recommended activities are:
- Walking
- The bike
- Gentle gymnastics
- Relaxation
- Tai chi
- yoga,
- Swimming
Consider integrating gentle muscle strengthening sessions without forgetting 7 to 10 minutes of stretching before and after each session.
If you are afraid to take the plunge, some structures offer sporting activities intended for people with or who have had cancer. These activities will allow you to practice an adapted sporting activity in complete safety, thanks to professional supervision, in the company of other people who have had similar backgrounds to yours. Ask your doctor or patient associations for information who will be able to guide you.
When you have cancer, are there any special precautions to take or activities that are not recommended?
Apart from a few special cases, there are ultimately few limitations to sports practice, but always ask your doctor for advice before returning to sport after the end of your treatment.
So, if you have undergone a surgical procedure that weakens the walls of the abdomen, such as an ablation of the colon for example, intense exercises may not be recommended. Rehabilitation aimed at strengthening your abdominal muscles will be necessary before practicing more physical sports (weight training, combat sports, tennis, etc.).
Also know that certain treatments or cancers reduce respiratory capacity : altitude sports and scuba diving are therefore not recommended. If you suffer from cancer or metastases in bone locations, we can happily suggest you practice swimming.
And then, more generally, ask your doctor for advice if you have treatments that increase the risk of bleeding or infection, or developing wounds or scars.