By RTL News··an average:
RTL
Patients with metastatic breast cancer are less bothered by their disease and side effects when they exercise. This means they are less tired, less in pain and have better endurance. This is the first time that the effect of exercise on metastatic cancer has been studied on such a large scale.
This research was led by UMC Utrecht. The lead author of the paper Article about research “Scientific coordinator” Anouk Hinch tells RTL News that she wanted to investigate how the quality of life has improved in recent years for this group of patients.
“Despite the continued improvement in treatments, quality of life remains the same or even worsens in these patients,” she says. For patients who are still able to recover from cancer and have not spread, exercise has been previously studied as a positive, and it turns out that this is the case. “But this has never been studied in patients with metastatic cancer, and quality of life in the last years of life is very important,” says Hinch.
energy to do fun things
For the study, a group of 357 patients, from five European countries and Australia, were divided into two groups. The exercise group received a nine-month exercise program, which included endurance and strength training under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The group was also asked to be active at home. The control group received general advice about exercise.
Results were measured at three, six and nine months. “We saw that patients in the exercise group reported better quality of life. They were less tired, better able to perform daily activities and had more energy to do enjoyable things in daily life.”
Before the study began, just over half of patients reported experiencing significant pain and shortness of breath. “These are often barriers to patients starting to exercise, but we also saw a reduction in these complaints. This also showed how much these patients can benefit from exercise, and therefore be able to live their lives better.”
‘start’
The study therefore showed that exercise has positive effects on patients’ quality of life. Hinch advises patients with metastatic breast cancer to ask their doctor about how to exercise. “Call your doctor and start. Exercise is possible and actually good, even for people with metastatic breast cancer.”
The researcher emphasizes the importance of guidance from a physical therapist. “Movement must be carefully tailored to each patient, in relation to bone metastases. Collaboration between the physician, physical therapist and patient is very important.”
Cost-effective
Another added benefit of the research is that the exercise program is cost-effective, meaning the program could actually save money rather than cost. “We saw that patients in the exercise group used care less. They had shorter hospital stays, used home care less and were more productive at work, if they were still working,” Hinch says. Patients who were still working also reported being sick less than patients in the control group.
This makes the program more attractive for implementation in the health care setting. The researchers hope that because it is cost-effective, health insurance companies and policymakers will also be interested in offering the program.
