The Coast News, June 14, 2013

JUNE 14, 2013
Exercise tips for
cancer patients
Health
Watch
By the physicians and staff
at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
Recently, the American
College of Sports Medicine
convened a panel of 13
researchers with expertise in
cancer, fitness, obesity and
exercise training to study the
effects of exercise and physical
activity for cancer patients.
The panel’s conclusion?
Exercise can have impressive
physical benefits for people
who are undergoing cancer
treatments. It can reduce nausea
and pain, preserve bone
density, increase appetite and
improve circulation.
Exercise can also
increase cancer patients’ selfesteem,
lower the risk of anxiety
and depression and
improve overall quality of life.
Other peer-reviewed research
has shown that exercise can
offer substantial health benefits
to cancer patients.
The type, intensity and
frequency of exercise must be
appropriate for each individual
patient.Several factors will
influence an exercise plan,
such as the type and stage of
cancer, the treatment regimen,
current restrictions and
limitations and other health
concerns. Developing an exercise
strategy should include
input from the patient’s oncologist
and primary care physician,
along with a personal
trainer and physical therapist.
The timing of exercise is
important. Patients going
through chemotherapy for the
first time should wait to exercise
until the first treatment
cycle has been competed, so
they have an idea of how they
may respond to the demands
of exercise. They should avoid
exercise on chemotherapy or
biological treatment days, and
avoid public gyms when their
immune systems are compromised
due to low white blood
cell counts. In addition,
patients who are undergoing
radiation therapy should generally
decrease or avoid exercise
near end of treatment and
for several weeks following it,
and should avoid chlorinated
swimming pools, which can
irritate the skin.
Generally, a well-rounded
exercise program should
include cardiovascular activity,
resistance training, flexibility
exercises and training for
balance and core strength.
Cancer patients undergoing
treatment have an increased
risk of osteoporosis and
peripheral neuropathy, so
exercises that strengthen bone
and promote circulation can
be especially helpful.
For someone just beginning
to exercise during cancer
treatment, the ACSM recommends
moderate-intensity cardiovascular
exercise, such as
walking or stationary cycling,
three to five days a week for 30
minutes. A patient who is in
recovery may be able to
increase the duration or intensity
of exercise with the medical
team’s approval and guidance.
Resistance training can
help patients build muscle
strength. Working with their
medical team, patients can
develop a routine of eight to 10
exercises once or twice per
week to strengthen the large
muscle groups such as the
chest, back and legs, followed
by smaller muscles.
Yoga, Pilates and balance-oriented
exercises can be
ideal for flexibility, stretching
and core strength. Several hospital-affiliated
fitness centers
offer yoga especially for cancer
patients. Mindfulnessbased
stress reduction programs
combine yoga and meditation
to promote physical,
emotional and spiritual health
and can be especially beneficial
for patients undergoing
cancer treatments.
Exercise offers tremendous
benefits to caner
patients, but be smart.
Swelling, dizziness, pain or
blurred vision are warning
signs. If they occur, stop exercising
and call the oncologist
immediately. Should patients
have any questions or concerns
about exercise, take
advantage of the medical
team’s expertise.
“Health Watch” is brought to you by
the physicians and staff at Scripps
Memorial Hospital Encinitas. For
more information or for physician
referral, call (800) Scripps or visit
scripps.org.
NEW LEADERS
THE COAST NEWS
The Oceanside Newcomers & Friends installs its 2013-14 board of directors. Pictured front row, from left: Wanda Hazewinkel,
Carolyn Keene, Eileen Miller, Maggie Marshall, Cherie Wilson, Diane Gilbert and Paula Powers. Back row, from left, is Barbara
McKenzie, Mary Ann Cooney, Teresa Hatt, Valbori Daughtery, Judy Clarquist, and Cristina West. Not pictured is Hannelore
Freundlich. The oath of office was administered by Colleen O’Hara, Oceanside attorney and women's advocate. Courtesy photo
You can create your own adobe brick
ENCINITAS — Do you
like playing with mud? If you
do, then you’ll love making
adobe bricks at the San
Dieguito Heritage Museum
every Saturday and Sunday
throughout the month of
June, from noon to 4 p.m. at
450 Quail Gardens Drive.
The word adobe has its roots
in Egypt. The Native
Americans of the Southwest
United States have been
using adobe for centuries.
The Spanish taught the
Native Americans to make
abode structures using wooden
frames to create the
bricks. Learn the history and
then make your own minibricks
and create your own
structure.
Each weekend there
will be free hands-on experi-
Get busy at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum every Saturday and
Sunday making adobe bricks, throughout the month of June, from noon
to 4 p.m. at 450 Quail Gardens Drive. Courtesy photo
ences that highlight a certain
era of San Dieguito history.
These activities will
change monthly. The historic
eras and corresponding
activities may include:
— Native American
period: rock-painting and
acorn-grinding,
— Rancho Period:
adobe brick-making, cattleroping
and soap-making.
— Pioneer Days: butter-
B5
making, washboard clotheswashing
and quilt--making
— Flower-growing period:
seed planting, plant identification
and plant dyeing
— Surfing and concern
for ocean ecology: balsa
mini-surfboard shaping, kelp
cookie making and ocean
awareness experiences.
For more information,
visit the Museum’s Web site
at sdheritage.org, or call
(760) 632-9711.