Glenn McConell chats with Professor Kathryn Schmitz from Penn State University who is a world leading cancer researcher who has been involved in many guidelines on exercise in cancer. We discussed how exercise reduces the risk of cancer, improves treatments and outcomes, reduces reoccurrence, and improves the state of mind of cancer patients and survivors. Similar to diabetes, cancer is a metabolic disease, and exercise improves metabolism. Indeed, as you will hear Kathryn arrived at cancer and exercise research after first undertaking metabolic type research.   

We talked about some of the mechanisms that exercise is protective against cancer, such as turning over fat so that it is less pro inflammatory and reducing insulin levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Insulin-inflammation cross talk. A lot of the effects of exercise training are due to each acute bout. Kathryn also described how exercise effects the blood flow to tumours which can help with treatment delivery. We also discussed sex differences and genetics in regards to cancer and exercise.   

Kathryn pointed out that although 80% of oncologists knew it was part of their job to talk with their patients about exercise, only 14.7% of patients are prescribed exercise. We have all been touched by cancer in various ways and I feel confident that you will get a lot out of this. Twitter: @fitaftercancer @GlennMcConell1