Medical and Cardiac Risk Stratification and Exercise Prescription in Persons With Cancer
Sasha E Knowlton1, Adrian Cristian, Romer Orada
1From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (SEK); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (SEK); Miami Cancer Institute, Miami, Florida (AC, RO); and Department of Functional Medicine and Oncological Rehabilitation, Catholic Health-Saint Francis Hospital East Hills, New York (JS).
Abstract:
Cancer patients are recommended to exercise at all stages of disease given the multiple health and functional benefits of physical activity. Certain safety precautions, including a preparticipation medical evaluation and periodic re-evaluations, should be undertaken before creating an exercise program based on individual cancer and treatment history. When designing an exercise program, physiatrists should use similar principles of frequency, intensity, timing, and type for cancer patients that are used for noncancer patients. Special attention to risks of cardiac and pulmonary disease along with risks of sarcopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, fracture risk, neurotoxicity, lymphedema, and metastases should be made. This article will outline these specific risks and necessary modifications to the exercise prescription for cancer patients that can be used to enable safe participation in recommended exercise.
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