Episode 002: How Exercise Helps Crush Cancer
Feb 22, 2018•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode description
In this episode, I'm talking to Kate Williams, exercise physiologist who the creator of Movement Against Cancer program. Kate specialises in exercise oncology and gives some fantastic, real world advice on how you can use exercise to support you during and after cancer. In the interview with Kate we get to find out more about:
how exercise helps crush cancer during treatment and recovery
the importance of regular evidence-based prescriptive exercise
how to find the sweet spot by pushing yourself far enough without exhaustion
practical ideas on healthy habits including nutrition and mindfulness
types of exercise that are most helpful when dealing with cancer
Links
Movement Against Cancer
Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Cancer Council Victoria
Full Transcript
Joe: Hey, Kate. Thanks very much for taking the time to speak to me, I really appreciate it. Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do and what are you passionate about?
Kate: Sure, well, thanks very much for having me on today, Joe. The first thing is, I’m an accredited exercise physiologist. I’ve been practicing for about eight years now, working with people with a whole range of different chronic medical issues. At the moment, I work at DNA Health Group, which is a private practice based in Cheltenham, in the Bay Side Suburbs of Melbourne. About four years ago, I realized that I had a bit of a passion and an interest in exercise oncology and co-founded the movement: Against Cancer Program around that time. Yes, really specializing a bit more in that area. In terms of work, that’s what keeps me ticking. Personally, I like keeping active myself. Lot of road cycling particularly. I like taking my little dog down to the beach and having a bit of run around. Other than that, what am I passionate about? All the typical Melbourne things, food and coffee and my football team.
Joe: Yes, which is?
Kate: Hawthorn. Big Hawks fan.
Joe: Fantastic, Kate. In your experience, what are the most common misconceptions that people have around cancer? Is it even a good idea to exercise when you have cancer? If it is, what are some of the benefits of exercise during cancer?
Kate: The biggest misconception is probably a pretty obvious one, is that people feel that it’s not safe, which is understandable in a way, because historically cancer patients have been told to take it easy and rest. Why would someone who feels sick, why would they feel like the best thing to do is a workout and spend what little energy they feel like they have right now. The thing is, we certainly have plenty of evidence to say that exercise is perfectly safe. In fact, to my knowledge, I’m yet to see a study that suggests exercise isn’t safe. There are definitely very good arguments to suggest that anyone who is undergoing treatment for cancer or has undergone treatment for cancer in the past should be doing exercise. The list is very long in terms of benefits. I don’t know how much time we’ve got.
Certainly, we know that it really helps people to cope better with treatments, particularly with things, common side effects, fatigue is a big one, pain and nausea. It also can really help to stabilize some of the body composition changes that patients go through. For example, a lot of men who undergo hormone treatment, they lose a lot of muscle mass and they gain a lot of body fat. We know that exercise can help to basically reverse that process, or at least maintain it. Bone density can be a big issue with these treatments, as well. We know that exercise can help maintain bone density. This obviously could increase strength and fitness and improve people’s everyday function. All of those activities they do on a daily basis can become a bit easier with the right exercise program. It also has a wonderful effect on mental health,
