Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Both its symptoms and the side effects of its treatment present significant physical and emotional challenges that make the idea of exercise seem counterintuitive, or even impossible. However, researchers have found that incorporating exercise into daily routines can complement traditional medical interventions and provide substantial benefits for patients.
The Healing Power of Movement
The importance of exercise in health people is well established, but until recently, less has been known about its impact on patients diagnosed with aggressive cancers like mesothelioma. Recent studies have shown that carefully designed movement and exercise programs can enhance overall well-being. Exercise has been found to mitigate symptoms and improve physical and mental function, significantly improving quality of life and contributing to better treatment outcomes.[1]
Though mesothelioma patients and their loved ones may fear that exercise will further exhaust or weaken them, when used as part of a thoughtful, multi-faceted approach to their health, it can provide significant benefits. Exercise can play a critical role in preventing and improving symptoms and treatment side effects. Proactive exercise before surgical procedures can shorten hospital stays and reduce post-operative complications.[2] Physical activity enhances immune response, reduces inflammation, and improves cardiovascular health and mood.
Physical Benefits of Exercise for Mesothelioma Patients
For mesothelioma patients, it is often difficult to separate the physical effects of the disease from the impact of its treatment, but exercise can have a significant impact on addressing those effects.[1]
- Reduce Fatigue – Studies have shown that exercise can help combat the overwhelming fatigue that is one of mesothelioma’s most challenging symptoms. Walking 75 minutes a week has been shown to significantly lower fatigue levels and improve energy levels.
- Enhanced Treatment Response – Exercise can improve the body’s physiological responses to treatment. The increased blood vessel capacity that comes from improved cardiovascular health can help both immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs reach tumors and cancer cells, enhancing their impact.
- Sustains Muscle and Bone Health – Cancer treatments and extended time in bed lead to muscle loss and decreased bone density, but strength training and weight-bearing exercise can counter this effect, maintaining muscle and bone mass, improving balance, and reducing the risk of treatment-related osteoporosis.
Benefits of Exercise for Mesothelioma Patients’ Mood and Mental Well-being
Beyond the important physical improvements that exercise provides, it has also been shown to offer critical psychological support, enhancing emotional regulation and improving overall mental well-being. Exercise helps improve cognitive function, emotional health, pain management, and overall recovery, enhancing the quality of life for those undergoing cancer treatment.[3]
- Exercise has been proven to release endorphins, which help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression that plague people diagnosed with mesothelioma. For these patients, maintaining a positive mental state can significantly improve their quality of life.
- Exercise helps regulate sleep patterns, providing much-needed rest during treatment periods.
The Science Behind Exercise’s Role in Mesothelioma Outcomes
Research has determined that exercise impacts the human body at the microscopic level, triggering a complex cascade of physiologic responses that have the potential to slow cancer’s progression and mitigate the adverse side effects of treatment. These responses include:
- Inflammatory Response Modulation – Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in both the development of cancer and its progression. Exercise has the potential to regulate inflammatory processes in two ways:[4]
- Cytokine regulation – Physical activity changes molecular structures, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines like Tumor Necrosis Factor-a, decreases C-reactive protein levels, and modulates interleukin-6. A study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship, researchers showed that regular exercise can reduce systematic inflammation markers by up to 30% in cancer patients.[1]
- Inflammatory pathway interactions – Molecular mechanisms affected by exercise play a role in suppressing nuclear factor signaling, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing anti-inflammatory molecular pathways.
- Immune System Enhancement – Targeted exercise interventions create immunomodulatory effects in two ways:[5]
- Cellular immune response improvements include increasing natural killer cell activity by 40-50%, enhancing the production of lymphocytes, improving macrophage functional capacity, and stimulating more effective antigen-presenting cell responses.
- An analysis published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that consistent exercise has long-term immunological benefits, including improving immune system surveillance, reducing immunosuppressive conditions, and enhancing the overall resilience of the immune system.[1]
- Metabolic and Physiological Adaptations – Importantly, researchers have found that exercise may induce metabolic transformations that interfere with cancer growth and spread. These include:[1]
- Metabolic pathway modifications that reduce insulin resistance, decrease circulating insulin levels, improving glucose metabolism efficiency, and enhancing mitochondrial function.
- Molecular signaling pathways activate AMP-activated protein kinase, inhibit mTOR signaling, and promote cellular energy homeostasis.
- Neuroplasticity – Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, allowing the brain to adapt to new experiences, recover from injuries, and improve cognitive functions. For cancer patients, it plays a crucial role in managing symptoms and improving overall well-being, and exercise has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity by stimulating the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron growth, survival, and function. This connection benefits mesothelioma patients in several ways:[6]
- Chemobrain – Chemobrain is a condition often caused by chemotherapy and other treatments. It is characterized by memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and mental fog, often caused by chemotherapy and other treatments. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new neural pathways and reducing inflammation. This can improve cognitive function and counteract chemobrain.
- Mood and Mental Wellbeing – Cancer treatments and the mesothelioma diagnosis itself can lead to depression and anxiety, but exercise has been shown to boost mood by increasing dopamine and serotonin levels. The neuroplastic changes created by exercise help regulate stress responses and improve emotional resilience.
- Pain – Chronic pain is common among mesothelioma patients, but exercise-induced neuroplasticity can help the brain rewire pain perception, reducing discomfort and improving quality of life.
- Fatigue – Exercise counters fatigue by optimizing brain networks that control energy levels and motivation, making it easier to engage in daily activities.
- Recovery and Adaptation – Whether recovering from surgery or managing long-term side effects, neuroplasticity allows the nervous system to adapt, helping patients regain strength, coordination, and overall functionality.
Tailoring Exercise to Mesothelioma Patients’ Needs
While exercise is beneficial, mesothelioma patients should focus on safe, low-impact activities tailored to their specific condition and fitness level. The key to success in using exercise to improve overall well-being is to take a personalized approach and progress gradually, in consultation with your healthcare provider, before starting any exercise regimen.
Your physician or other medical professional will conduct a pre-exercise evaluation that may include any of the following:
- Comprehensive cardiopulmonary function testing
- Metabolic profile analysis
- Physical examination
- Psychological readiness evaluation
- Treatment-specific risk stratification.
Following this assessment, they can provide you with specific exercises that consider the stage of your cancer, your current treatment protocol, your baseline fineness, and any limitations that may apply to the treatment plan you’re under. They should also provide you with a basic safety outline that includes starting slowly and listening to your body, staying well hydrated, and modifying activities as needed.
What Exercises Are Best for Mesothelioma Patients?
As is always true of any exercise program, the exercises that will provide mesothelioma patients with the most benefit are the ones that they enjoy and are more likely to continue pursuing. From a physiological standpoint, the best exercises for mesothelioma patients focus on balance, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. Patients should consult with healthcare professionals to tailor a program to their abilities and treatment plan.
Aerobic Exercises
Low-impact aerobic exercises provide significant cardiovascular improvements. They improve oxygen utilization, enhance mitochondrial efficiency, support cardiovascular health, and reduce treatment-related fatigue. Good options include:
- Walking: Walking is simple, accessible, and effective in improving cardiovascular health and endurance.
- Swimming: Swimming provides a gentle, full-body workout that minimizes joint strain.
- Cycling: Using a stationary bike provides cardiovascular benefits without excessive stress on the body.
- Water aerobics: Doing aerobics in the water provides a full body workout without strain on joints and muscles, making movement easier and more comfortable, even for those experiencing pain or fatigue.
Resistance/Strength Training
Light weights and resistance training help mesothelioma patients by preserving muscle mass, improving strength, and reducing the risk of muscle atrophy, which can occur due to inactivity or as a side effect of treatments. They also boost bone density and metabolism and support overall functional fitness, making daily activities easier while also improving mood, energy levels, and overall quality of life. These exercises should be done under the supervision of a physical therapist or experienced trainer who can provide guidance. Good options include:
- Bodyweight Exercise: Bodyweight exercises help build strength and maintain mobility without needing equipment. They are easy to modify based on individual ability and balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and enhancing overall functional movement.
- Resistance Band Exercises: Resistance bands provide gentle yet effective strength training that maintains muscle mass and joint flexibility while minimizing strain on the body.
- Light Hand Weights: Using light hand weights can improve upper body strength and endurance, which can combat fatigue and make daily activities easier.
- Ankle Weights: Ankle weights add gentle resistance to lower-body exercises, helping build strength in the legs and improve stability, circulation, and endurance.
Flexibility and Balance Exercises
Flexibility and balance exercises improve range of motion, reduce stiffness, and enhance stability. These benefit mesothelioma patients by helping to prevent falls and making daily movements easier. These exercises also promote relaxation, relieve muscle tension, and support overall physical function, especially for those experiencing weakness or mobility issues due to treatment.
Examples of Flexibility Exercises include:
- Gentle Yoga: Enhances flexibility, reduces stress, and improves posture.
- Stretching Routines: Helps maintain mobility in muscles and joints, preventing stiffness after long periods of bed rest or treatment.
- Tai Chi or Qigong: Combines slow, flowing movements with deep breathing to improve flexibility and relaxation.
Examples of Balance Exercises include:
- Standing on One Foot: Strengthens leg muscles and improves coordination.
- Heel-to-Toe Walk: Enhances stability by reinforcing core and lower-body strength.
- Seated or Chair-Assisted Balance Exercises: Offer a safe way to boost confidence and enhance balance without the risk of falling.
- Gentle Yoga: Improves balance.
- Tai Chi and Qigong: Gentle exercises that enhance coordination and mindfulness.
When mesothelioma patients pursue any exercise program, they should keep their sessions short and use support aids like handrails when necessary. Maintaining a daily exercise log will help you track your progress and adjust your routine as needed. Always communicate with your physician about any concerns and monitor your fatigue levels. Most important of all, celebrate the improvements you see, no matter how small.
Exercise Can Complement Mesothelioma Medical Treatments and Improve Quality of Life
Exercise can be a beneficial and empowering complement to mesothelioma’s medical treatment. It can improve physical and mental well-being, reduce treatment side effects, and enhance overall quality of life. Safe, tailored exercise routines can help you maintain strength, endurance, and independence. By consulting with your healthcare provider, starting slowly, focusing on enjoyable activities, and celebrating each step and improvement, exercise can provide mesothelioma patients with significant benefits.
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