Cancer treatment sometimes feels almost as debilitating as the disease, but it’s important to keep moving as regular exercise can help recovery. Endeavor Health thoracic surgeon Nicholas Yerkes, MD, encourages his patients battling lung cancer or anyone who has undergone an operation on their chest to practice daily movement.
“Exercise doesn’t mean training for a marathon, it’s literally as simple as walking,” said Dr. Yerkes, who emphasizes that regular movement like walking helps prevent pneumonia, blood clots and other complications following surgery.
Whether it’s walking to an errand like the grocery store, walking in the mall when the weather outside is not cooperative, or going for a walk with friends, it’s the easiest way for most people to maintain consistent movement.
“Unlike the liver, our lungs don’t regenerate after surgical resection, but you can regain your endurance,” said Dr. Yerkes. “Start by walking just one block and do that for a week, and then move up to two blocks. Exercise helps recovery and for those patients who don’t incorporate movement, recovery will take longer.”
For people who may not have had regular movement practice before cancer, joining a group or enlisting friends and family to walk with you may help with accountability, suggested Dr. Yerkes. Pulmonary rehab can also be an option for some patients, though it is not always covered by insurance.
“I really try and get my patients to get moving as soon as possible after surgery and I talk to them about the importance of sticking with it and gradually increasing their activity level,” said Dr. Yerkes. “I want them to do their normal activities.”
Generally, patients are not allowed to swim for the immediate period after surgery, and flying and scuba diving are not allowed for six to eight weeks after a pulmonary resection, but typically there are no other restrictions. For patients who want to resume more active exercising like running or cycling, they have a green light to do so after a few weeks.
Lung cancer patients can be sidelined by fatigue, pain or depression during cancer treatment, so it’s important to determine what is preventing them from getting off the couch and figure out how to help them, explained Dr. Yerkes. Endeavor Health nurse navigators are often key members of the clinical team, helping patients break down their individual barriers to movement.
“Sometimes it’s a matter of diet and we work with them to make sure they are getting enough nutrients,” said Dr. Yerkes. “The body is in an extensive healing stage after a big surgery and nutrition is an important part of recovery.”
“Sometimes just talking to people, listening to their concerns and helping them understand the importance of movement really helps,” said Dr. Yerkes.
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