Exercise helps rare-cancer patients

For patients being treated for rare cancers, brushing their teeth or holding a cup of tea can be extremely difficult or just impossible.

But new research shows even moderate exercise can help regain the ability to do everyday tasks and have a significant impact on their quality of life.

The small study, to be presented at the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia's (COSA) Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, was conducted by Edith Cowan University with Cancer Council WA.

It involved 127 patients with 25 different types of rare and less common cancers, including ovarian, leukaemia and brain cancer, undertaking a three month community-based exercise program incorporating both weight and cardio training.

The 60 per cent who finished the program improved their strength, balance and fitness.

They had an 18 per cent improvement in their ability to lift themselves out of a chair, 20 per cent in their strength, eight per cent in their ability to walk 400 metres, and 18 per cent improvement in balance.

"Patients improved their physical wellbeing, experienced less fatigue, and six months later, follow-up surveys revealed continuing improvements in quality of life," said Associate Professor Prue Cormie from Australian Catholic University's Institute of Health and Ageing.

"Although the activities might sound basic, for cancer patients with a rare cancer diagnosis, the ability to complete these everyday tasks with ease can have a significant impact on their lives.

"After three months of exercise, some patients regained the ability to complete tasks they believed they had lost all together."

COSA president Professor Mei Krishnasamy said it was encouraging to see exercise research being extended to cancers that were often under-studied.

"Those with rare cancers generally have poorer outcomes.

"The researchers were stepping into the unknown by working with these patients and testing their ability to perform regular exercise."