“If we had a pill that conferred all the confirmed health benefits of exercise, would we not do everything humanly possible to see to it that everyone had access to this wonder drug? Would it not be the most prescribed pill in the history of mankind?” (Sallis, 2009)
What is physical activity?
Physical activity is any activity that gets your body moving and speeds up your breathing and heartbeat.
It includes not only structured exercise sessions, but also everyday activities such as housework.
Exercise is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, & purposeful with the goal of improvement or maintenance of fitness or other health benefits.
Why exercise?
It can:
- strengthen muscles and bones
- improve circulation
- help you maintain/achieve healthy weight
- improve energy
- improve mobility & balance
- improve self-esteem
- help with stress, anxiety & depression
- provide new opportunities to meet people and socialise
- reduce the risk of, or help manage other health conditions
Getting started exercising:
Before taking part in any exercise program, either during or soon after your treatment, it is important to talk with your oncologist or general practitioner (GP) about any precautions you should take.
If it has been a while since you have been active or your fitness level is low, start slowly and build up gradually.
An Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist is the best person to guide you; Medicare or your private health fund may provide limited cover for these visits.
Let's Talk Exercise
Listen to our Exercise Physiologists talk about exercise below:
You can also attend out live Let's Talk Exercise sessions in the Wellbeing Centre
When: Last Thursday of every month
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom
To register, please email the Wellbeing Centre Team at [email protected] together with your UR number or the person you're caring for. Zoom details will be provided upon registration.
For further information or if you have a question, please contact the Wellbeing Centre team by:
Phone: (03) 8559 6260 (Monday to Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm, voicemail available)
Email: [email protected]
Safety tips for exercising with or after cancer:
- Keep others aware of your plans/take a phone
- Start any new exercise program slowly
- Be aware of muscle soreness after exercise
- Be cautious of the following symptoms & get urgent medical assistance
- Pain or pressure in your chest or pain down your arms
- Severe shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Irregular or unusually rapid heartbeat
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Extreme weakness or extreme fatigue
What sort of exercise can I do at home?
AEROBIC HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM
UPPER LIMB HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM
LOWER LIMB HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM
Community exercise oncology programs
EX-Med is a not-for profit organisation providing best practice exercise medicine programs for people with cancer. It involves an individualised exercise medicine program delivered by experienced exercise physiologists in local fitness centres.
A number of community and hospital-based cancer-specific rehabilitation programs are available across Australia. You can find your closest centre here.
In addition to oncology rehabilitation programs, Cancer Council Victoria also provides Cancer Wellness Programs to support people living with and after cancer.
