Physical Medicine and Exercise 3rd year 2nd semester Flashcards
What percentage of men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime?
A. 25%
B. 30%
C. 42% ✅
D. 50%
Explanation:
✅ C is correct – The document states that 42% of men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
❌ A and B are underestimates.
❌ D is too high.
Which of the following cancers shows a 25% risk reduction with regular physical activity?
A. Prostate cancer
B. Breast cancer ✅
C. Lung cancer
D. Endometrial cancer
✅ B is correct – Exercise reduces breast cancer risk by 25%.
Explanation:
❌ A is incorrect – Exercise slows progression, but no specific % is stated.
❌ C – Exercise helps with treatment tolerance, not risk reduction.
❌ D – Strong prevention evidence is noted, but no specific % is given
Which cancer is most strongly linked to smoking and environmental toxins?
A. Colorectal cancer
B. Breast cancer
C. Lung cancer ✅
D. Endometrial cancer
✅ C is correct – Lung cancer’s main causes are smoking and toxins.
Explanation:
❌ a) colorectala and D) endometrial cancer are more related to diet and lifestyle.
❌ B) Breast cancer – Hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors, not primarily smoking.
Why low-impact cardio and breathing exercises help:
Lung cancer patients often have shortness of breath, reduced lung capacity, and fatigue.
- Cardiorespiratory exercises help:
- Improve oxygen uptake
- Strengthen respiratory muscles
- Reduce dyspnea (breathlessness)
- Enhance quality of life
✅ FITT Relevance:
Low to moderate aerobic work (e.g., 3x/week) builds tolerance while being gentle on the lungs.
LUNG CANCER
* Symptoms: Chronic cough, fatigue, weight loss. Causes: Smoking, environmental toxins.
* Exercise Benefits:
* Enhances treatment tolerance.
* Improves lung function and quality of life.
Which of the following is a shared symptom among many types of cancer?
A. Numbness
B. Skin rash
C. Fatigue ✅
D. Blurred vision
Explanation:
✅ C is correct – Fatigue is a common symptom across many cancers.
❌ A, B, D are not listed as common/shared cancer symptoms.
Which cancer has exercise benefits specifically linked to managing lymphedema?
A. Lung cancer
B. Prostate cancer
C. Breast cancer ✅
D. Colorectal cancer
✅ C is correct – Breast cancer survivors often experience lymphedema, and resistance training can help.
Explanation:
❌ A and D focus more on aerobic or cardiorespiratory function.
❌ B targets musculoskeletal health.
Resistance training (light weights, stretching ) helps because it can:
- Improve lymphatic flow
- Strengthen muscles weakened from surgery or chemo
- Reduce risk/severity of lymphedema
- Improve range of motion, especially post-mastectomy
It stimulates muscle contractions, which in turn help pump lymph fluid through the vessels, reducing fluid buildup.
It strengthens muscles and connective tissues, improving circulation and preventing complications.
Research shows light-to-moderate resistance exercise is safe and even recommended when done progressively under supervision.
So, while it might seem counterintuitive, controlled resistance exercise can prevent worsening of lymphedema and improve quality of life.
✅ FITT Relevance:
Resistance: 2–3x/week fits this well, focusing on upper-body strength and careful progression.
According to ACSM FITT guidelines, what is the recommended amount of moderate-intensity exercise per week for cancer patients?
A. 60 minutes
B. 100 minutes
C. 150 minutes ✅
D. 200 minutes
Explanation:
✅ C is correct – FITT recommends 150 min/week moderate or 75 min/week vigorous.
❌ A and B are too low.
❌ D exceeds the basic recommendation.
This refers to the ACSM FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) guidelines for physical activity for cancer patients:
150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity exercise: Think brisk walking, light cycling, or water aerobics. You should be able to talk, but not sing.
OR 75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity exercise: This could be running, fast cycling, or swimming laps – you should only be able to speak a few words without pausing for breath.
These times represent minimum recommended activity for health benefits:
Improves cardiovascular health
Reduces fatigue and depression
Enhances cancer treatment recovery
Lowers risk of recurrence (in some cancers)
Why 150 or 75? They reflect equal calorie burn and cardiovascular demand, just at different intensity levels.
Which cancer type is most commonly associated with abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain, often linked to obesity?
A. Endometrial cancer ✅
B. Colorectal cancer
C. Breast cancer
D. Prostate cancer
✅ A is correct – Endometrial cancer has these symptoms and is obesity-related.
Explanation:
❌ B involves bowel changes; C and D do not present with those symptoms.
ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
* Why weight management exercises help:
Obesity and sedentary behavior are key risk factors.
- Aerobic + resistance exercise helps:
- Burn fat and manage weight
1) Regulate insulin and hormone levels
2) Improve strength and stamina
3) Reduce recurrence risks tied to obesity
✅ FITT Relevance:
150 min/week of aerobic activity and strength training combats obesity and inactivity.
What is a key safety concern when creating an exercise plan for a cancer patient?
A. Elevated heart rate
B. Sun exposure
C. Bone metastases ✅
D. Low flexibility
Explanation:
✅ C is correct – Bone metastases can increase injury risk during exercise.
❌ A is not abnormal in exercise; B is unrelated; D is an outcome, not a safety concern.
Which of the following is not a standard cancer treatment?
A. Surgery
B. Chemotherapy
C. Physical therapy ✅
D. Immunotherapy
Explanation:
✅ C is correct – Physical therapy is supportive, not a primary cancer treatment.
❌ A, B, D are all primary treatment modalities.
Which of the following aerobic exercises is specifically beneficial for colorectal cancer patients to support bowel function?
A. Resistance bands
B. Walking ✅
C. Deep squats
D. Isometric holds
✅ B is correct – Walking is an aerobic activity that helps bowel function and fatigue.
Explanation:
❌ A, C, D are resistance-based or not aerobic.
Why is walking (aerobic exercises) beneficial for colorectal cancer patients?
Treatments and surgeries often disrupt bowel function and cause fatigue.
- Aerobic activities can:
1) Stimulate bowel motility
2) Reduce cancer-related fatigue
3) Improve cardiovascular endurance
Walking is a simple, accessible aerobic activity that benefits colorectal cancer patients in several ways:
Improves bowel function: Gentle movement stimulates digestion and regular bowel movements, which can be disrupted by cancer or its treatments.
Reduces fatigue: Regular walking helps manage cancer-related fatigue, boosts mood, and increases energy levels.
Supports recovery: It strengthens the heart, lungs, and muscles without being overly taxing.
Low-impact: Safe for people recovering from abdominal surgeries or with bowel sensitivity.
In summary, walking is therapeutic – it’s light enough to be doable during recovery, but active enough to provide substantial physiological and psychological benefits.
✅ FITT Relevance:
Aerobic: 3–5x/week at moderate intensity helps with digestion and energy without overexertion.
Which type of cancer benefits specifically from resistance training to counteract muscle and bone loss caused by hormone therapy?
A. Breast cancer
B. Colorectal cancer
✅ C. Prostate cancer
D. Lung cancer
**
✅ C. Prostate cancer – Correct. Hormone therapy causes muscle and bone loss, so resistance training helps maintain musculoskeletal health.**
Explanation:
A. Breast cancer – Resistance training helps manage lymphedema, not hormone-related muscle loss.
B. Colorectal cancer – Focuses more on aerobic activity for bowel function and fatigue.
D. Lung cancer – Exercise helps breathlessness and lung capacity, not bone or muscle preservation.
PROSTATE CANCER
Why resistance training and yoga help:
Hormone therapy in prostate cancer causes muscle loss, bone density reduction, and fat gain.
- Resistance training improves:
- Muscle mass
- Bone strength
- Joint stability
- Yoga adds flexibility, balance, and stress relief
✅ FITT Relevance:
* Resistance: 2–3x/week helps preserve musculoskeletal health
* Flexibility: yoga supports mobility
PROSTATE CANCER
Symptoms: Urinary changes, pelvic pain. Causes: Hormonal changes, age-related factors. Exercise Benefits:
Slows progression.
Improves musculoskeletal health.
Which cancer is best addressed with low-impact aerobic activity and breathing exercises to reduce dyspnea and improve cardiorespiratory fitness?
A. Endometrial cancer
B. Prostate cancer
✅ C. Lung cancer
D. Breast cancer
✅ C. Lung cancer – Correct. Low-impact aerobics and breathing exercises are key to easing breathlessness and boosting lung function.
Explanation:
A. Endometrial cancer – Focuses on weight management using aerobic and resistance training.
B. Prostate cancer – Prioritizes resistance training for muscle and bone health.
D. Breast cancer – Focuses more on resistance training for lymphedema management.
🔹 LUNG CANCER
Why low-impact cardio and breathing exercises help:
Lung cancer patients often have shortness of breath, reduced lung capacity, and fatigue.
Cardiorespiratory exercises help:
- Improve oxygen uptake
- Strengthen respiratory muscles
- Reduce dyspnea (breathlessness)
- Enhance quality of life
✅ FITT Relevance:
Low to moderate aerobic work (e.g., 3x/week) builds tolerance while being gentle on the lungs.
Which cancer is strongly linked to obesity and benefits most from aerobic and resistance training for weight management?
A. Lung cancer
B. Colorectal cancer
C. Breast cancer
✅ D. Endometrial cancer
✅ D. Endometrial cancer – Correct. Obesity is a major risk factor, and weight management through exercise is central to prevention and survivorship.
Explanation:
A. Lung cancer – Exercise helps breath capacity, not weight loss.
B. Colorectal cancer – Focus is on bowel function and fatigue, not primarily weight.
C. Breast cancer – Has some lifestyle links but not as strongly tied to obesity.
🔹 ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
Why weight management exercises help:
Obesity and sedentary behavior are key risk factors.
- Aerobic + resistance exercise helps:
- Burn fat and manage weight
- Regulate insulin and hormone levels
- Improve strength and stamina
- Reduce recurrence risks tied to obesity
✅ FITT Relevance:
150 min/week of aerobic activity and strength training combats obesity and inactivity.
What is a benefit of physical activity for colorectal cancer patients?
A. Increases genetic mutations
B. Inhibits bowel function
✅ C. Lowers risk by 25% and improves survival after treatment
D. Should be avoided during survivorship
Explanation:
A. False – Exercise does not cause mutations.
B. False – Exercise supports healthy bowel function.
✅ C. Correct – Regular exercise lowers risk and improves outcomes after treatment.
D. Incorrect – Exercise is encouraged during survivorship.
