After undergoing a third successful surgery for cancer, the actor Colin Egglesfield, known for his roles in All My Children and Something Borrowed, gave a statement that caught my attention. In one of his Instagram posts he wrote “Thankfully, we caught my prostate cancer early and after a year of doing a lot of research and talking to quite a few health care professionals, I elected to be proactive and have surgery,”.
He said he elected to be proactive. Being a physiotherapist I know what’s the importance of exercise particularly when you are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. We will come to this, but first let be share some of the inspiring instagram posts from the actor.
Colin Egglesfield’s Battle with Cancer
This present surgery for Colin Egglesfield’s cancer was his third surgery. In 2006, for the first time, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer for which he underwent surgical treatment. A year later, his cancer returned by spreading to whole testicles.
Egglesfield in one of his long Instagram posts shared how his experiences suffering and getting out of cancer shaped his looks towards life.
The Role of Exercise During Chemotherapy
Fighting thrice with cancer, Colin Egglesfield’s journey is a great example of mental strength. However, surgery or chemotherapy for cancer takes a great toll on physical health. It can cause physcial issues such as fatigue, loss of muscle and reduction in cardio vascular fitness.
In one of the research that I have covered in my article “Exercise during chemo improves health of cancer sufferer”, the research reveals the importance of physical exercises during and after chemotherapy.
Study shows that regular exercise during chemotherapy can:
- Improve Energy Levels: Combat fatigue, one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.
- Enhance Muscle Strength: Prevent muscle loss and maintain physical function.
- Boost Mental Health: Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common during cancer treatment.
- Support Immunity: Moderate-intensity exercise can enhance the immune response, helping the body fight infections.
I have discussed in-length about exercises during elevated sugar levels in one of my articles: Dummies Guide to Exercising for Diabetes. These exercises can be performed after a week or two following the surgery.
The exercises discussed are mainly resistance exercises to gain strength, however, I strongly recommend coupling these exercises with aerobics. Aerobics includes brisk walking, jogging, cycling etc.
Your custom workout plan
Although I highly recommend following resistance exercises that I have designed for diabetics, you can use this form to generate a custom personalised workout plan designed instantly by AI.
Takeaway Message
For those undergoing cancer treatment, stories like Colin Egglesfield’s inspire hope. Pairing that hope with actionable steps, such as incorporating exercise, can help patients navigate the challenges of chemotherapy more effectively.
Always consult your healthcare team to create a personalized exercise plan that aligns with your treatment goals and physical condition.
Keep Reading: Exercise is medicine for cancer prevention & cure: Study
Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.
