Exercise Helps Throughout the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Journey

Because the lungs are so integral to exercise, lung cancer patients may have a unique set of challenges when beginning or re-starting to exercise. Lung cancer patients tend to have lower fitness levels than average adults, but exercise can change that. Be sure to discuss your workout plans with your care team, and check out these tips to get you on track.

Exercise at any point of your lung cancer journey can be beneficial, but research shows that exercise both before and after lung surgery can help improve outcomes. Exercise helps advanced lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, too. (Yes, this means there is really no bad time to exercise!)

If you worked out a lot pre-cancer, start fresh; don’t hold yourself to old expectations. Instead, let your body dictate what it can do. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute recommends starting with easy aerobic sessions as short as 5 to 10 minutes. Consider walking, cycling, or swimming. If you can only manage a few minutes at a time at the beginning, consider doing those short bursts several times a day.

It may seem contradictory, but aerobic exercise helps most lung cancer patients, even if you have trouble breathing when you’re just resting. For aerobic activity that relies on gulping air, the key is to start slowly and build. If you weren’t active prior to your cancer treatment, consider light walking. If you have athletic experience, modify your activity or sport. Don’t overdo it, but do build up as your body allows.

Strength training is helpful in regaining any muscle strength that may have been lost due to lung cancer symptoms or treatment. As with aerobic training, make sure to set short-term, achievable goals for strength training. Bonus: strength training can help your balance and posture as well.

Breathing is fundamental to exercise, and learning new breathing techniques can help alleviate side effects of lung cancer treatment. For example, lung cancer patients often compensate for weak diaphragm muscles by using other muscles when breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing can help strengthen the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to give the chest muscles a chance to rest. And relaxation breathing methods can help you manage stress and anxiety.

Gentle stretching is doubly important for lung cancer patients. First, it can help boost lung capacity and loosen the chest muscles to allow for deep breathing. Second, radiation can result in tight muscles, and stretching can restore the range of motion you enjoyed before treatment.

Another way to maximize your breathing: keep your shoulders and chin back. It’ll encourage deep breathing, and it’s especially important if you sit a lot, according to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Yoga can also help improve posture and foster improved breathing.

Of course, lung cancer patients also need to exercise caution. If you have severe anemia, a compromised immune system, severe fatigue or balance issues, check in with a physical therapist, exercise physiologist or personal trainer first, the American Lung Association advises. In fact, it’s best for any lung cancer patient to start out with a professional in a safe environment.

The American College of Sports Medicine certifies cancer exercise trainers. Look for cancer-specific classes led by these trainers at community centers, the YMCA, YWCA, or your local gym.