Exercise and Cancer!

The front page of The Age ran this article.  About a young, healthy woman diagnosed with cancer. Here is the quote:-

“It was devastating,” she said.

“I had an eight-month-old baby. I had just finished an MBA. I’m happily married. I was at the high point of my life.”

But after seeking a second opinion, she was offered a sliver of hope. Another oncologist was willing to put her on an aggressive chemotherapy regime on the small chance that it could shrink the tumours throughout her body enough to operate.

“He said 'we want to prepare you to take the maximum amount of drug you can get into your body, and the only thing in your control is exercise',” Ms Cooper said.

“It will get the blood moving, carry the drugs through your body and allow you to process more of the drugs more effectively"*

"The only thing in your control is exercise." I have said these exact words many times. Now we understand even more the way the chemo patients can assist their own treatment by exercising. 
This is not entirely new.  We saw Robin Williams, from The Science Show, RN. ABC. He was featured on an episode of Catalyst, ABC Tv's science program.  He was given chemo therapy for his cancer, and then immediately lead to the next room for a fairly heavy gym workout, to assist in the uptake of the chemotherapy.

Similarly, we can also forestall our dementia, by similar means. Our brains require a rich blood supply.  Cardio-vascular (the name is the clue) formerly known as aerobic exercise helps keep the blood vessels clean and elastic, strengthens our heart muscle, too.

The human body is amazing.

*The Age, 7th May, 2018, by AISHA DOW.