Red Flags - Cancer Exercise Toolkit (2024)

People with cancer may present with symptoms and signs during rehabilitation that indicate the need for medical review.

Red Flags - Cancer Exercise Toolkit (2)

Symptoms requiring urgent medical review include:

  • Unrelenting pain especially with weight bearing
  • Saddle paresthesia
  • Loss of bladder/bowel
  • Sudden onset muscle weakness
  • Fever
  • Sudden swelling redness and pain

Signs to look out for include:

  • Recent unexplained weight loss
  • Night pain

These symptoms may indicate disease progression or an oncological or haematological emergency.

If your patient presents with any of the following they should present to the emergency department:

  • Oncological emergencies – cauda equina (loss of bladder and bowel control), tumour lysis, hypercalcaemia, malignant pericardial effusion, superior vena cava syndrome
  • Haematological emergencies – febrile neutropaenia, thromboembolism

Printable oncological emergencies table.

Source: Adapted from Maltser et al. PM &R 2017

Red Flags - Cancer Exercise Toolkit (2024)

FAQs

What are 10 signs of cancer you shouldn't ignore? ›

17 Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
  • Abnormal periods or pelvic pain. Most women have the occasional irregular period or cramps. ...
  • Changes in bathroom habits. ...
  • Bloating. ...
  • Breast changes. ...
  • Chronic coughing. ...
  • Chronic headache. ...
  • Difficulty swallowing. ...
  • Excessive bruising.
Apr 15, 2024

What are the guidelines for exercise for cancer patients? ›

Frequency of exercise
  • at least 2½ hours of moderate intensity aerobic or cardio exercise or 1¼ hours of vigorous aerobic or cardio exercise.
  • 2–3 strength or resistance sessions to build muscle strength.

What is the exercise test for cancer patients? ›

The formal exercise tests provide good predictive information on a person's maximal oxygen consumption and level of fitness. Formal exercise tests appropriate for persons with cancer include the Modified Bruce Treadmill Test, The Astrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test, and The Single Stage Submaximal Walking Test.

What is the exercise routine for cancer patients? ›

“I tell patients to aim for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, which equals 150 minutes.” If 30 minutes is too difficult, she suggests 10 minutes of exercise in the morning, 10 minutes after lunch, and 10 minutes in the evening.” Walking is a good option, Basen-Engquist says.

What is the biggest indicator of cancer? ›

General cancer symptoms:
  • Very heavy night sweats or fever. Sweating at night or having a high temperature (fever) can be caused by infections or a side effect of certain medications. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Unexplained bleeding or bruising. ...
  • Unexplained pain or ache. ...
  • Unexplained weight loss. ...
  • Unusual lump or swelling anywhere.
Nov 17, 2022

What acts like cancer but isn t? ›

Castleman disease is a rare condition that happens when too many cells grow in your lymph nodes, the small organs that filter out germs. After a while, hard growths form. Castleman disease isn't cancer. But it can act a lot like lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes.

What type of exercise is good for cancer? ›

The standard American College of Sports Medicine and American Cancer Society recommendations of 150 minutes per week of cardiovascular exercise and 2-3 days of strength training per week would apply.

What is the best exercise to reduce the risk of cancer? ›

What kinds of activity can I do?
  • active recreation like bushwalking, surfing or cycling.
  • active transport such as walking to public transport, or walking or cycling to your destination.
  • sports such as soccer, netball and tennis.
  • salsa or ballroom dancing.
  • strength training like pilates and yoga.
  • brisk walking or jogging.

What exercises are good for cancer fatigue? ›

Light exercise, like walking or riding a bike, can help with your fatigue by: Increasing your energy levels. Increasing your strength. Reducing pain and nausea.

What is the walk test for cancer? ›

The aim of this test is to walk as far as possible for 6 minutes. You will walk along this hallway between the markers, as many times as you can in 6 minutes. I will let you know as each minute goes past, and then at 6 minutes I will ask you to stop where you are.

What happens to cancer cells when you exercise? ›

Exercise may be a cancer fighter

Exercise causes your body to release proteins called myokines into your blood. These proteins are known to help your immune system fight and even kill cancer cells, raising the possibility that exercise, in combination with immunotherapy, can help treat cancer.

What is cancer fitness? ›

Regular physical activity can reduce stress and give you more energy. Research has shown that there is strong evidence that certain ways of being active can help people with cancer: reduce anxiety. improve depression. reduce fatigue.

What is chemo belly? ›

Chemo belly describes how a person's abdomen can become bloated, gassy, and uncomfortable during and following chemotherapy treatments. The condition often ends following the completion of treatment. It can occur due to changes in the gut bacteria as well as changes in how food moves through the digestive tract.

What not to do when diagnosed with cancer? ›

5 DON'Ts
  1. Do not smoke.
  2. Do not engage illicit sex.
  3. Do not drink often.
  4. Do not expose to intense sunlight.
  5. Do not eat fresh water sashimi.

What cardio exercises are good for cancer patients? ›

Similar exercise prescriptions are recommended to improve your ability to function (walk, shower and do daily activities) or to improve feelings of anxiety or depression. To improve these symptoms during or after cancer treatments it is recommended to: Perform aerobic exercise 3 times per week. 30-60 minutes per ...

What are the red flags of a cancer? ›

Data on the presence of red flag symptoms of cancer (persistent cough, persistent change in bowel/bladder habits, nonhealing ulcer, persistent difficulty in swallowing, unexplained weight loss, unexplained lump, persistent unexplained pain, unexplained bleeding, and change in the appearance of mole) and presence of ...

What does cancer tiredness feel like? ›

Everyday life can be difficult and you might not have the energy to cook, clean, bathe or go shopping. You might not even feel up to a chat. Things that you used to find easy to do can feel like hard work. Fatigue can affect the way you feel about yourself and your relationships with other people.

What should you never say to a cancer? ›

What Not to Say to a Cancer Patient
  • “Really you have cancer? ...
  • "Just live in the moment."
  • “I read about this new diet that cures cancer!”
  • “I know you will get better!”
  • “I know what you're going through. ...
  • “I can't stop worrying about you.” Please don't add another burden to my already heavy heart!
Mar 17, 2016

What is the hardest cancer to cure? ›

The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure
  • Pancreatic cancer.
  • Liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
  • Esophageal cancer.
  • Lung cancer and bronchus cancer.
  • Acute myeloid leukemia.
  • Brain cancer and other nervous system cancer.
  • Stomach cancer.
  • Ovarian cancer.
Apr 12, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 5942

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.