Exercise To Be Included In Cancer Care

Exercise Should Be A Standard Part Of Cancer Care, Says New Report...

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) has welcomed the publication of a report advising all cancer patients to exercise for at least two and a half hours a week.

The report published by Macmillan Cancer Support says advice to rest and take it easy after treatment is an outdated view.

REPs Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch said: “This report confirms what we, as exercise professionals, have known for a long time – that regular exercise has far-reaching long-term health benefits regardless of most other conditions someone may be facing.

“For the past five years we have been working with SkillsActive (the sector skills council for the active leisure industry), doctors, medical charities and healthcare professionals to ensure fitness instructors are properly qualified to work with patients with chronic conditions like cancer.

“Indeed, SkillsActive has just written qualification standards for cancer rehabilitation, meaning specialist training courses can now be produced for members wanting to make the move to level 4 Specialist Instructor status.”

Macmillan's report, Move More, says that of the two million cancer survivors in the UK, around 1.6 million are not physically active enough.

Adult cancer patients and cancer survivors should undertake 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week, the reports says, which, is in-line with Department of Health guidelines.

Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said physical activity was very important to the survival and recovery process. She said: "Cancer patients would be shocked if they knew just how much of a benefit physical activity could have on their recovery and long term health, in some cases reducing their chances of having to go through the gruelling ordeal of treatment all over again.”

For a full story visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14417084