Researchers want to take cancer care to the gym
A study called Phys-Can has shown that group exercise sessions during cancer treatment increase patients’ strength and endurance and also provide social support and motivation to stay active. Now the researchers hope their results will be integrated and become a self-evident part of cancer care in Sweden.
Physical exercise is one of the most effective ways of preventing cancer but what is the significance of exercise for someone undergoing treatment for cancer? The Phys-Can study was started up three years ago by researchers at Uppsala University. In the study, 600 people with cancer have been taking part in group exercise sessions to investigate the effect of exercise on quality of life and cancer-related fatigue.
“Many people who are being treated for cancer are afflicted by fatigue, a paralysing tiredness that can continue long after the therapy has ended. Patients have traditionally been told to rest but the participants in our study describe how physical exercise makes them feel more alert and energetic. We have also observed several other positive results,” says Ingrid Demmelmaier, docent of physiotherapy at Uppsala University.
The Phys-Can participants undergo high-intensity and low-intensity training sessions for strength and fitness for six months and are then monitored for a ten-year period. The selection process is done in consultation with doctors. Ingrid Demmelmaier is satisfied with both the recruitment process and the execution of the project.
“Several international studies confirm that exercise in conjunction with treatment is positive for cancer patients. The age of the participants in our project ranges from 30 to 84 years and we have had no serious incidents at all. The impression we get is that most patients increase their strength, fitness and energy. They also feel that the group activity in itself gives structure to their lives, social support and motivates them to stay active.”
The long-term ambition is to integrate physical activity as a natural part of cancer care but despite the healthcare sector’s need for cost-effective alternatives, there are still a number of issues that need to be resolved, such as: Who’s going to pay for it? Who’s going to recommend patients to take part? And who’s going to motivate them to continue?
Even though our project is still in progress, we know that exercise is a beneficial part of cancer care and we are already looking for inspiration and ideas to implement Phys-Can’s results in ordinary care activities. As part of that work, we are organising a workshop called “Implementing Physical Exercise in Cancer Care” in conjunction with the international summit meeting, “Uppsala Health Summit”, in June 2018 which will focus on cancer,” says Ingrid Demmelmaier.
The patients participating in Phys-Can have breast cancer, prostate cancer or bowel cancer. Physical exercise has been tested on patients with obesity and rheumatism and the positive results have attracted the attention of the media and the support of the medical profession.
“Exercise is something that everyone can relate to and it’s a relatively cheap way for patients to influence their state of health while undergoing treatment. Together with Uppsala University Hospital, we have initiated a pilot project where we are trying, on a small scale, to convert our exercise programme into something that can be used in the care sector. However, to succeed on a larger scale, we must bring clinics, decision-makers, patient organisations and wellness stakeholders together. Hopefully the workshop at the Uppsala Health Summit will be a big step towards achieving that goal.”
Phys-Can is being funded in part by Cancerfonden, the Swedish Research Council, the World Cancer Research Fund and the Nordic Cancer Union. Group exercise sessions are being held in Uppsala and in Lund/Malmö and previously in Linköping as well. They will continue until November 2018. The researcher in charge is Karin Nordin, Professor of Caring Sciences at Uppsala University.
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