Staying Fit With Cancer, a Guest Blogger's Approach

Dear readers, I am happy to share with you an email and article written by David Haas.
He recently contacted me and I am honored and excited to post this on his behalf.  Cancer has touched my personal and professional spheres in different ways - perhaps yours too- and
awareness is healing on many levels - support, prevention, cure..

Hi Rana,

I stumbled across your blog and noticed the great content on your site. I am wondering if you allow guest posts because I recently have been researching and writing about how beneficial cancer support networks and also staying physically fit is to people going through treatments, in remission, and even family members of cancer patients.  I believe an article on one of those two topics would mesh with your blog very well and also benefit your readers tremendously. This is an important message to get out there so please let me know if you would be interested in seeing it and sharing it with your readers.

Thank you for all you do in making a difference,

 David Haas

Staying Fit With Cancer
There is no doubt that being diagnosed with cancer is one of the most difficult and trying times in a person's life. For many, there are visions of pain, suffering, and a sense that life is over. It is extremely important to recognize that this is far from the truth. Having a relaxed and positive mindset is a very important aspect of dealing with cancer and it can go a long way in helping you fight it. Today, modern medicine has helped many survive cancer after being diagnosed. Thinking positively and relying on modern medicine are just as helpful as it is to stay physically active. Many studies have found that exercise can aid in recovery and even keep cancer from returning.


If you have just been diagnosed with cancer, there is undoubtedly some uncertainty and fear in your life. It can be difficult to acknowledge the diagnosis. If you led a healthy and active lifestyle before your diagnosis, continuing this behavior will be one of your best defenses. At this early stage it can be helpful to find a support group to guide you through any emotional stress. This will help you to continue daily life and maintain your healthy exercising habits. However if you do not already exercise or practice yoga, beginning to do so will ultimately help in the fight against cancer. The benefits  of exercise are immense. Over time, blood pressure will decrease, endurance will increase, stress will minimize, and energy will be higher.

Going through treatment and surgery to treat your cancer no doubt take a toll on the body. These combined with the symptoms of the cancer, make staying physically fit a low priority. For example, people with mesothelioma, cancer of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, experience symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Combining this with chemotherapy and radiation can make exercise very difficult. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and remember that exercise has health benefits that include increasing your chance of becoming a cancer survivor.


If you are a cancer survivor, one of the main priorities in your life is to stay in remission. Surviving cancer is a huge accomplishment. Celebrate by keeping your body fit and remaining healthy. Studies show that maintaining fitness not only helps prevent cancer, but keeps it from returning as well. Start off slow. Some light stretching or yoga might be a good way to start. Then you can work your way up to more rigorous exercises. Ideally, you should aim for doing both aerobic and strength training exercises. Therapy and treatments make you fatigued and you lose a muscle as a result. Aerobic exercise increases endurance and boost energy, combating fatigue. Strength training exercises increase muscle mass and help combat osteoporosis. Any way you look at it, the benefits of exercising are tremendous. Take charge of your life and your body and help it stay cancer free.

Your body is a wonderful machine that deserves special maintenance and care. Staying fit is an excellent way to help your body function at its peak, maintain higher levels of energy, and combat symptoms of cancer. Chances are that your doctor will recommend an active life style whether just diagnosed with cancer or in remission. Listen to your doctor and all of the scientific studies. If you do, chances are that the exercise will help you in keeping cancer from coming back.