Exercises for Chemotherapy Patients.

The diagnosis of cancer and the beginning of chemotherapy treatment trigger questions, fears, and feelings of helplessness. But there is one step patients can take immediately to take charge of their health: Exercise.

Studies show that, on average, chemotherapy patients who incorporate exercise into their lives have shorter hospital stays, experience a lesser decline in physical functioning, report significantly less fatigue and emotional distress, and enjoy a higher quality of life during treatment.

Now these benefits are available to every chemotherapy patient.

Exercises for Chemotherapy Patients, written by oncologist Harry Raftopoulos, MD, and exercise physiologist Erin O'Driscoll, RN, MA, is the very first at-home exercise program designed especially for those on chemotherapy.

The therapeutic benefits of exercise are real. As patients develop strength through exercise, they gain emotional strength. Setting a goal of wellness–and taking action toward that goal–is the first step in becoming a cancer survivor.

Special features include:
• Complete walking and exercise programs that require no expensive equipment.
• Advice about coping with the side effects of chemotherapy
• A special section devoted to nutrition during chemotherapy treatment.

Exercising with undergoing chemotherapy treatments can help you take control of your body, and in the process give you strength, courage, and confidence.

HARRY RAFTOPOULOS, MD, is assistant professor of medicine in the division of Medical Oncology; Director of Respiratory Oncology Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

ERIN O'DRISCOLL, RN, MA, is a registered nurse, exercise physiologist, and certified health and fitness instructor. She lives in East Islip, New York.