Exercise bad before cancer treatment?
Study at OSU incites debate among critics
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Exercising 48 hours before chemotherapy or radiation might undermine the cancer treatment, two researchers say, but other experts disagree with their conclusion.
Drs. Ragu Kanagasabai and Govindasamy Ilangovan, researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center, published the results of their three-year study last week. They found that a protein called heat shock factor-1, released when the body encounters stress, can help cancer cells resist treatment. The stress can be psychological, such as during an argument, or physical, such as exercising 20 minutes on a treadmill, they said.
“People underestimate the impact of stress on cancer outcomes,” said Ilangovan, who has been an associate professor and research investigator at OSU for eight years.
The researchers isolated breast-cancer cells and observed how they responded to ultraviolet treatment, to simulate chemotherapy and radiation. Cells that had been exposed to heat shock factor-1 were able to withstand treatment while cells without the protein were more effectively combated.
“HSF-1 assists the cancer cells to recover,” Ilangovan said.
But some breast-cancer experts say that the study, which tested isolated cells and not animals or humans, does not support the assertion that exercising would make treatment less effective. “Cells can behave very differently than what happens in real life,” said Dr. Anil Sood, a gynecologic oncologist and researcher at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas.
Many phases of clinical testing must be done before drawing the conclusion that exercise in the days before treatment could undermine it, said Sood, who called the conclusion “more than a leap.” You have no idea what the real effect is going to be from doing a cell-plate, in-vitro test,” Sood said.
Dr. Charles Shapiro, director of breast oncology at OSU’s Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, agreed with Sood, adding that the upside of exercise during cancer treatment far outweighs any potential risks. “Exercise may release HSF-1, but it also releases 10,000 other things that are beneficial,” Shapiro said.
Despite the criticism, Ilangovan and Kanagasabai say they are confident that clinical studies will find that, in the two days prior to cancer treatment, exercise can enable cancerous cells to fight off radiation and chemotherapy.
“We’re going to be studying it in the clinical labs to confirm, but I believe this test is consistent to what’s happening with OSU patients,” Kanagasabai said.
Raising the money to continue their research might take up to five years, Ilangovan said. Both researchers stressed that exercise is a vital part of fighting cancer and that only during the 48-hour window prior to treatment should patients skip working out. “Exercise is the best medicine people can have,” Ilangovan said.
“You don’t have to lose anything from not exercising for 48 hours. And you get the chance to gain something – a more successful treatment.” (*)
(* Having an open mind and respecting the scientific community, I would take some comfort in the criticism of the doctors who criticize this theory of the OSU researchers (tho, not too much comfort, because we know how reluctant the traditional medical community can be with radical new info or treatment which falls outside traditional guidelines).
But if I were undergoing radiation therapy for a cancer of some sort, I would probably take this under serious advisement and maybe even do a little deliberate stress reduction technique. (today, there are so many choices in the “energy medicine” field). What could it hurt? For me, I can zone in almost anytime to a satisfying level of peaceful contentment with nothing more than easy ole EFT. But there is Chinese QiGong, Quantum Touch, Donna Eden with her various books on “Energy Medicine” – - Lordy, don’t get me started, the field runneth over these days. . . .The “Healing Codes” and so on. We’re talking real solutions that work, but are not too welcomed by our allopathic community.
But then, if I ever DID get a cancer somewhere in or on my body, I would probably address it in an energy medicine manner. . . .at least I would hope so, providing I am still able to call my own shots. Jan)
Do you know any details of the paper containing these results? I read about this ages ago but haven’t managed to track this down.
Comment by Matt — October 20, 2011 @ 9:44 am |
Matt, sorry, but I have no details on the particulars of the theories which were offered herein. I have seen nothing since this was posted to further the concepts one way or another. One can see how oblique my comments at the time were, so as to be no help to anyone in serious conflict over this. No matter how involved, committed or interested I am in matters such as this – I am after all, just one who blogs. It occurs to me that perhaps one needs a scientist who does research.
A possible path might be to find one of them who would respond or have some thoughts on the matter to refer you. There is Dr Loren Cordain (of the Paleo Diet) who labors away in research at the Colorado University. One might reach him with a query (cut and paste some of these concerns). He also has a beautiful site of his own – can try that. Cordain is so revered – he is almost a cult figure.
I’m thinking of Dr Raymond Francis, also a scientist with an excellent site – Beyond Health.This is a knowledgeable man who would possibly have an opinion. These two can be found in the blogroll. Then there is the direct approach straight to OSU to one of the physicians mentioned – or their department
If you DO nail any of this down, I’d be happy if you choose to share. Good luck Matt. Jan
Comment by Jan Turner — October 20, 2011 @ 12:40 pm |