Exercise While You Have Cancer? Yes, Says Science.

Science Daily, a respected journal, recently published guidelines suggesting benefits are received by cancer patients who remain physically active and exercise during treatment. Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine will discuss these guidelines in an educational session during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

"...Exercise during and after treatment is beneficial for these patients."

Old thinking can harm patients

Schmitz plans to recommend that exercise programs during cancer rehabilitation become common in treatment programs, as common as they are to patients who have undergone cardiac surgery. She supports these guidelines with analysis of studies on five types of cancer, saying, "We now have a compelling body of high quality evidence that exercise during and after treatment is safe and beneficial for these patients, even those undergoing complex procedures such as stem cell transplants." She urges physicians to incorporate her guidelines in a systematic way.

The American Cancer Society offers information on exercise and treatment. Alternative medicine expert, Dr. Mercola, also expounds on the benefits of exercise and cancer treatment, suggesting that physicians modify outdated thinking.

Becky Jacoby writes and edits for the STM market, particularly about cancer and autoimmune conditions. Many cancer victims have been comforted by her book Beating Cancer. Ms. Jacoby may be contacted at rebecca.jacoby09@gmail.com

Image courtesy of myfitnessequipment.co.uk

A Cheerleader's Quilt for Breast Cancer

Opportunities large and small confront us every day, and, I believe if we see them with an open heart, they become blessings.

Take Tuesday, for example. Bob, my husband, telephoned me from our church’s bookstore where he recently began volunteering. He explained that he had spoken with Josie, a young woman who shared with him that she had a friend in her 20’s who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer one day, had a single mastectomy the next day and had her first chemotherapy session scheduled for following day.

Josie’s earnest desire was to furnish a personalized quilt for her friend as a keepsake and comfort to use during her year of chemotherapy treatments. Josie’s problem was that she didn’t sew. She didn’t know someone who did or who would be willing to donate time to create the quilt.

Bob, eager to offer tangible help, showed her Beating Cancer: Stories of People Who Are Surviving and Thriving. I had recently edited and published this book to encourage and comfort people who suffered from cancer as well as inspire those who knew, loved or acted as a caregiver of a cancer victim.

Next, Bob told Josie, “My wife is a quilter. She’s made lots of them, and might be willing to help. I’ll ask her, but she’s really busy and I can’t make you a promise.”

Naturally, Bob gave me Josie’s phone number. I met with her the next afternoon, discussed details and agreed to assist with the quilt. The basic color would be purple, Amy’s favorite, and Josie would coordinate getting all the input and bringing it to me to sew.

Little did I know what I was getting into. Josie and I had discussed sizes and positioning of the quilt blocks. However, all the message squares came in on stretched out t-shirts, in marker, transfer, fabric paint or embroidery. And all in non-uniform sizes! How could I make all these heartfelt words into a quilt?

I backed each contribution in muslin and bordered it in calico, then trimmed it to a specific size. Then all were assembled around a large center square, the main theme—cheerleading camp. Joy emanates from a quiet place in our spirit where God speaks. He speaks to me when my heart is willing to help others, to put my own wants aside for a time.

Funny, but it’s in those times—the times where God orchestrates the opportunities He has tailored just for us—that we “Find Our Quiet” and open ourselves to receive His abundant blessings.

For me, helping Josie complete her quilt was not just saying ‘yes’ to God, it was allowing me to be a conduit in whatever capacity God’s plan held. Spiritual energy both excites with expectation and grants indescribable internal peace, the “Rest of God.”

I am certain that when Josie delivers the quilt, Amy will feel the love that went into it. It’s also my hope that when she is covered by it, she’ll know the spiritual blessings sewn into it.

Beating Cancer: Stories of People Who Are Surviving and Thriving

Do you have cancer? Do you know someone with cancer? Do you love someone with cancer?

Who hasn't been touched by this disease?

Nearly 500,000 people in the U.S. alone in 2008 died from cancer. Sobering statistics to be sure. Statistics that go beyond current medical practice in search of answers.

My grandfather died from it when I was 10. My mother died from it two months before her 50th birthday, in 1994. My aunt died from it six years ago, in 2004. Friends around us were being shell-shocked with diagnoses of cancer. It seemed more people we knew were affected than ever.

Imagine how upset I was to learn my husband had been diagnosed with it?

What could I do to make a difference?

As a writer, I got the word out that I was looking for cancer survivors who were willing to share their stories. I edited and compiled their stories into the anthology Beating Cancer: Stories of People Who Are Surviving and Thriving. (Read a FREE excerpt here.)

The book's purpose is to encourage, support, inspire and give hope to anyone affected by cancer.

My husband's story is included. Many other heartfelt stories are, too.

The book is a quick read. It's comforting to people with cancer. It lets them know they're not alone and they CAN survive. Two women who have been recently healed from breast cancer told me what it meant to them to read these stories.

You can see videos about the book, too.