The role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists in the treatment of Cancer

The role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists in the treatment of Cancer

Exercise has been established as an effective adjunct therapy for the management of cancer. People with exercise interventions have been shown to experience fewer and/or less severe treatment related side effects and have enhanced physical and psychological outcomes after a cancer diagnosis. This current evidence has led to calls for exercise to be incorporated into routine cancer care throughout all phases of the cancer care continuum – before, during and after treatment.   Current evidence-based guidelines recommend all people with cancer:  

• Avoid inactivity and return to normal daily activities as soon as possible following diagnosis
• Progress towards and maintain participation in regular moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise and resistance exercise each week
• Exercise recommendations should be tailored to the individual’s abilities noting the specific exercise programming adaptations may be required for people with cancer based on disease and treatment related adverse effects.

The majority of Australians with cancer are not meeting the recommended exercise dose. Estimates indicate that approximately 60-70% of cancer patients do not meet aerobic exercise guidelines and approximately 80-90% do not meet resistance exercise guidelines. The integration of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) services within cancer care may facilitate adherence with evidence-based guidelines. Thus, it is critical that all health professionals involved in the care of people with cancer are aware of the scope and capacity of AEPs to work in the oncology setting and to understand how to access these services for their patients.   What do Accredited Exercise Physiologist’s do?   AEP are university-qualified allied health professionals, recognised by Medicare, who specialise in clinical exercise interventions for a broad range of pathological populations. As exercise specialists, AEPs are adept at screening, assessing and applying clinical reasoning to ensure the safety and appropriateness of exercise, as well as developing and delivering safe and effective individualised exercise interventions for people with chronic and complex medical conditions. These skills have led to AEPs having an important role in the care and treatment of people with a broad range of diseases.     The majority of Australians with cancer are not meeting the recommended exercise dose. Estimates indicate that approximately 60-70% of cancer patients do not meet aerobic exercise guidelines and approximately 80-90% do not meet resistance exercise guidelines. The integration of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) services within cancer care may facilitate adherence with evidence-based guidelines. Thus, it is critical that all health professionals involved in the care of people with cancer are aware of the scope and capacity of AEPs to work in the oncology setting and to understand how to access these services for their patients.   What do Accredited Exercise Physiologist’s do?   AEPs are university-qualified allied health professionals, recognised by Medicare, who specialise in clinical exercise interventions for a broad range of pathological populations. As exercise specialists, AEPs are adept at screening, assessing and applying clinical reasoning to ensure the safety and appropriateness of exercise, as well as developing and delivering safe and effective individualised exercise interventions for people with chronic and complex medical conditions. These skills have led to AEPs having an important role in the care and treatment of people with a broad range of diseases.     Benefits of AEP exercise interventions   Exercise can be safely delivered to people with cancer throughout the cancer continuum when it is appropriately prescribed and monitored. Supervised exercise interventions can:

• improve functional ability/capacity
• improve health related quality of life across various domains including physical, mental and social wellbeing, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, endurance, and power
• reduce cancer-related fatigue
• reduce psychosocial distress, and
• positively influence body composition.

  In addition, exercise may reduce the risk of:

• cancer-specific mortality for certain cancer types including breast, colorectal and prostate cancers
• cancer recurrence for certain types of cancer including breast, colon and prostate cancers
• all-cause mortality and development of new cancers
• developing comorbid conditions including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes

 

Moving Beyond Cancer at Cabarita and Pottsville Physiotherapy

  Moving Beyond Cancer is an exercise class specifically designed by an AEP for people at any stage along the cancer continuum. The class enhances not only the physical wellbeing, but also the mental wellbeing to the lives of those with cancer. The exercises are tailored to the individual’s abilities, the program is patient-centred, and is responsive to individual patient needs, goals and preferences. An initial assessment is conducted by an AEP prior to joining the class. The classes are individualised exercise programs in a small group setting (1-5 participants).  All sessions are EPC and Health Fund rebatable.   For more details of our Moving Beyond Cancer Class follow this link