This document discusses exercise recommendations and options for cancer patients during bad weather. It provides an overview of the benefits of exercise during and after cancer treatment, including improved sleep, decreased fatigue and treatment side effects, and reduced anxiety and depression. However, certain chemotherapy drugs can make patients sensitive to temperature changes and increase fall risks. As such, the document recommends indoor exercise options when weather is poor, such as using home exercise equipment while watching fitness videos, or exercising at indoor locations like malls, yoga studios and gyms. It emphasizes that staying active is important for cancer patients' emotional and physical well-being.

1. Welcome!
Today’s Moderator:
Dana Nolan, MS LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Ask questions & share your story

2. Bad-Weather Workouts
for Cancer Patients
Today’s Moderator:
Dana Nolan, MS LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

3. Research on Cancer and Exercise
In 2010, the American College of Sports
Medicine (ACSM) suggested the following
exercise recommendations for cancer
patients:
Cardiovascular activity
Flexibility/Stretching
Muscle strength training
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4. Benefits of Exercise
Research shows the following benefits of
exercise during and after cancer treatments:
Physical: Improved sleep, decreased fatigue
and less treatment side effects
Psychological/emotional: Decreased anxiety
and depressive symptoms, increased self-
esteem and body image
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5. Challenges of Exercise in Bad Weather
Chemotherapy patients on platinum-based
drugs carboplatin and cisplatin may be unable
to regulate their body temperature in the
extreme heat and cold.
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy can affect
balance and increase chance of slipping on wet
or icy surfaces.
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6. Bad Weather? Exercise at Home!
Exercise at home:
Use a treadmill or elliptical machine for cardio.
Use light hand weights or resistance bands for
muscle strength training.
Stretch muscle groups while lying in bed or on a
floor mat.
Search your cable or satellite TV program guide
for “fitness,” “exercise” or “yoga” programs. I
found an on-demand program for chair yoga.
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7. Exercise at Home (cont.)
Search Amazon.com for exercise DVDs or
Blu-rays tailored for cancer patients.
Search Youtube for “exercises for cancer
patients” and select one that fits your
energy level or diagnosis.
Search the web for streaming exercise
videos.
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8. Options Away from Home
Mall walking
Many malls open early (even before individual
stores raise their gates) to allow people to walk
through the common areas.
Yoga and Jazzercise studios are great options if
you’re well enough to leave the house and your
immune systems is healthy
Most yoga classes can modify exercises if you’re
unable to keep up or reach all the yoga poses
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9. Options Away from Home (cont.)
Gyms
Exercise at your own pace.
Variety of cardio and weight training options from
free weights to workout machines
NOTE: If you’re undergoing chemotherapy or
recovering from surgery, ensure that you
disinfect machines before and after use to
minimize risk of exposure to germs and infection
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10. Staying Healthy in Bad Weather
Many mesothelioma patients report feeling
socially isolated, lacking energy and
feeling “blue” when the weather is
unpleasant.
Rainy or very cold weather can intensify
those feelings.
Exercise is emotionally and physically
beneficial during cancer treatment.
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11. Resources
Schmitz, K.H. et al. (2010). American College of
Sports Medicine roundtable on Exercise
guidelines for cancer survivors. Medicine and
Science in Sports and Exercise, 42(7), 1409-21.
Speck, R.M. et al. (2010). An update of
controlled physical activity trials in cancer
survivors: a systematic review and meta-
analysis. Journal of Cancer Survival, 4, 87-100.
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12. Contact Information
1-877-626-5916
(877) 626-5916
Facebook.com/themesocenter
@TheMesoCenter