Cancer
Overview
Cancer is a condition where cells in the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. These cells can invade and destroy healthy tissues, including organs. This can eventually lead to the formation of a tumour which is created by a mass build up of tissues and can sometimes be felt as a lump under the skin. There are over 100 different types of cancer with varying symptoms.
Physical Activity & Cancer
There is a growing pool of research highlighting the positive impact of physical activity in both protecting against, and reducing the risk of many cancers. Evidence has shown that individuals who participate in approximately 25-minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day cut their risk of the following cancers by up to:
- Male Colon Cancer: 14%
- Breast Cancer: 10%
- Endometrial Cancer: 18%
- Kidney Cancer: 17%
- Myeloma Cancer: 19%
- Liver Cancer: 27%
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: 18%
Additionally, there is a positive dose-response relationship between increasing physical activity levels and decreasing the risk of cancer, showing the more physical activity one does the better.
It is acknowledged that there are benefits associated with being physically active at every stage of cancer, from prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. Physical activity improves peoples’ health outcomes and empowers people to self-manage their condition, enhancing a feeling of control.
Being physically active after a cancer diagnosis is associated with increased life expectancy and reduced risk of disease progression. Conversely, physical inactivity can worsen treatment-related losses of physical conditioning and muscle strength. This may lead to a cycle of deteriorating function and accumulating fatigue that is hard to escape.
The Benefits of Physical Activity for Cancer
There are numerous benefits of physical activity to prevent and treat cancer:
- Improves fatigue management
- Strengthens muscles, bones and joints
- Increases mobility and balance
- Maintains and improves cardiovascular health
- Reduces feelings of anxiety and depression
- Helps maintain a healthy body weight
- Improves quality of life
- Improved confidence
- Reduces the risk of certain cancers coming back
- Reduces the risk of developing other health conditions
- Helps individuals return to work and live independently
How do we Help?
KiActiv® Health is a digital therapeutic that optimises personalised everyday physical activity in the context of health to empower self-care for the prevention and management of disease. Optimising the benefits of physical activity is about understanding that every move we make matters, and our approach expands the therapy window from just a few hours of exercise per week, to include all 112 waking hours, helping people to discover the opportunities to move more within the context of their health, capacity and environment.
According to the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, cancer survivorship extends from time of diagnosis to end of life. At all stages of cancer survivorship, having a personalised approach which fits round their needs and helps them manage their fatigue is crucial. We have helped individuals in prehabilitation, during recovery following surgery, during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, and supported individuals to ‘wait well’ whilst waiting for treatment.
Our patented method of analysis that ensures that physical activity data is accurate, complete and representative. This is a crucial step for making physical activity data meaningful and actionable in the context of each individual’s circumstances, empowering them to self-manage in a way that suits them, improving their physical health, mental wellbeing and quality of life.
Client Quotes
“Thanks again for all your support & encouragement during the course – it has been really helpful and made a big impact in my recovery!” – 50, Male, Lung Cancer
“When I first had my surgery I struggled up the stairs, now I can run up two flights of stairs without any problem at all.” – 53, Female, Breast Cancer
“In a quiet way, you’ve boosted my confidence and made me realise it’s in my hands to improve my mobility.” – 83, Female, Colorectal Cancer
“When I’m moving and doing things, it’s with a bit more get up and go.” – 83, Female, Colorectal Cancer
“When I needed to return my health to a reasonable state after surgery, I could see that it helped me gain strength and mobility again.” – 83, Female, Colorectal Cancer
“Seeing and doing it like this gives me the motivation to do it. Because now I can see how much I have improved, it’s saying to me ‘keeping going, you can do this’.”– 60, Female, Bowel Cancer
“Kirstie’s guidance throughout the programme benefitted me enormously, by making me rethink my attitude towards my future, gently encouraging me to slowly but steadily increase my ambition as well as my confidence that following the programme was showing a distinct improvement in all aspects of my life.” – 81, Male, Colorectal Cancer
“Since commencing the programme I have found a new confidence in my life. I now look forward to a betterment in all aspects, instead of a fear of what the future may hold after the operation and subsequent chemotherapy the I am undertaking. Life is for living!” – 81, Male, Colorectal Cancer
“It was definitely what I needed to get me moving more, increase my activity and make me realise it’s not just about the big things like cycling or walking or whatever, its just getting off your backside and moving!” – 53, Female, Breast Cancer
