Exercise & Cancer Flashcards
How does exercise reduce cancer risk?
Exercise lowers cancer risk by improving metabolic health, reducing inflammation, regulating hormones like estrogen, and enhancing immune surveillance. It is particularly effective in reducing the risk of breast, colon, and endometrial cancers.
What are odds ratios and hazard ratios in cancer studies?
- Odds Ratio (OR): The odds of an outcome occurring in the presence of a condition compared to its absence.
- Hazard Ratio (HR): The rate of an event occurring in one group compared to another over time (e.g., treated vs. control).
How does exercise impact cancer-related fatigue?
Exercise improves fatigue by enhancing physical fitness, reducing anemia, improving oxygen transport, and breaking the cycle of deconditioning caused by fatigue.
What role does exercise play in breast cancer recurrence?
Moderate exercise (1-3 hours per week) reduces recurrence risk by 25%, while higher levels (3-8 hours per week) lower it by 50%.
1% of all cancers in the UK (34,000 cases annually) are linked to
low physical activity
Exercise after breast cancer diagnosis reduces
recurrence and improves survival
High levels of physical activity significantly lower the relative risk of
endometrial cancer
Exercise reduces cancer-related fatigue and improves quality of
life during and after treatment
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises help minimize
bone loss during chemotherapy.
Exercise reduces the risk of cancer recurrence by increasing tumor growth.
False. Exercise reduces recurrence risk by improving metabolic and immune functions.
Moderate aerobic exercise during chemotherapy can help maintain body weight and functional ability.
True.
______ is the ratio of hazard rates between two groups, often used in cancer prognosis studies.
Hazard Ratio (HR).
Cancer-related fatigue is commonly caused by ______, reduced red blood cell production, and cardio-respiratory deconditioning.
Anemia.
Exercise has been shown to improve ______, ______, and ______ in cancer patients during and after treatment.
Quality of life, functional ability, mood.
Which type of cancer has the strongest evidence for risk reduction through exercise?
A. Pancreatic cancer
B. Breast cancer
C. Lung cancer
D. Prostate cancer
B. Breast cancer
What is the recommended frequency and intensity of exercise during chemotherapy for breast cancer?
A. 20 minutes, 3 times per week, moderate intensity
B. 10 minutes, daily, light intensity
C. 60 minutes, once per week, vigorous intensity
D. 30 minutes, 5 times per week, high intensity
A. 20 minutes, 3 times per week, moderate intensity
Scenario: Jane, a breast cancer survivor, wants to reduce her recurrence risk. She plans to walk 2 miles daily.
Q: Is this approach effective, and what else could she add?
Yes, moderate walking reduces recurrence risk. Adding resistance training or high-intensity intervals could further improve her outcomes.
Scenario: Mark, undergoing chemotherapy, feels fatigued and considers stopping exercise.
Q: What advice can you offer?
Continue light-to-moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling, to reduce fatigue, maintain functional ability, and improve quality of life.
Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF):
A persistent sense of tiredness related to cancer or its treatment, which is not proportional to recent activity.
Relative Risk (RR):
The likelihood of an event occurring in an exposed group compared to a non-exposed group.
Quality of Life (QOL):
A measure of overall well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, and social health.
Bone Mineral Density (BMD):
A measure of bone strength and density, often impacted during cancer treatment.
Case: A study found that women with breast cancer who exercised 3-8 hours weekly reduced their recurrence risk by 50%.
Q: What mechanisms explain this reduction?
A: Exercise improves immune function, lowers estrogen levels, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall metabolic health.
Case: A randomized control trial showed resistance training improved muscle strength but not BMD in women undergoing chemotherapy.
Q: Why might this occur, and what could be added?
A: Resistance training alone may not provide sufficient loading for bone adaptation. Adding weight-bearing activities or impact exercises could improve BMD.
