Everyday two-hundred people die from cancer and furthermore, five-hundred more are diagnosed (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012). It is estimated that 186,400 new cases of cancer (not including non-melanoma skin cancers) will occur in Canada in the year 2012 (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012).. Another 75,700 deaths from cancer are expected to occur. About 52% of all cases and deaths will be in men, with 48% in women (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012).
Emerging evidence suggests that patients receiving cancer therapies, including radiation and chemotherapy, have decreased cardiovascular health. This is thought to be directly linked to the toxins they are exposed too during such therapies (Lakoski, Eves, Douglas, & Jones, 2012). Research also suggests that this decrease in cardiovascular health could be affected by secondary consequences, including becoming more sedentary and deconditioning (Lakoski et al., 2012). These symptoms are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease morbitity and mortality, as well as, functional dependence, and heightened oncological symptoms (Lakoski et al., 2012). These cardiovascular deficits can be measured by maximal oxygen consumption tests (VO2max tests), which generally display an decrease in these values (Lakoski et al., 2012).
Randomized trials have been conducted to determine the efficacy, feasibility and safety of performing exercise with an oncological diagnoses. Evidence supports the conclusion that structured exercise training is safe, well tolerated, and is associated with health benefits, including improvements (from 10-15%) in different measures of cardiovascular health (Lakoski et al., 2012). Exercise programs can negate the effects to cardiovascular health from receiving cancer therapy and may even enhance the effectiveness of treatment (Lakoski et al., 2012).