By now, most people recognize that exercise is good for your health. But for people with lymphoma, physical activity can make the difference between life and death.
What Is Lymphoma?
This cancer affects the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and the rest of the lymphatic system. You may have heard of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The other main type of lymphoma is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. One of the primary symptoms of this disease is fatigue. Earlier studies have examined whether exercise might counteract the fatigue associated with the disease itself or with the chemotherapy used to treat it (Persoon et al, PLoS One, July 20, 2017). A review suggested that lower levels of activity and reduced physical fitness might be associated with more fatigue (Vermaete et al, Annals of Hematology, Aug. 2013).
Should People with Lymphoma Run for Their Lives?
An epidemiological study from the Mayo Clinic went beyond symptoms. The scientists found that people with lymphoma survived longer if they were physically active.
More than 4,000 lymphoma patients treated at Mayo for a decade were asked about their pre-diagnosis exercise patterns. Those who were more active were also more likely to survive. People who increased their level of exercise following diagnosis also had better outcomes. People who decreased their physical activity following diagnosis fared less well over the three-year follow-up period.
Because this is an observational study, the research did not demonstrate that exercise causes better survival. However, the association is highly suggestive. The authors encourage their medical colleagues to “counsel patients and survivors on the importance of physical activity.”
Presented at the 59th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, Dec. 12, 2017
An earlier review of randomized controlled trials concluded that there is not enough evidence to tell whether people with lymphoma or other hematological cancers actually live longer if they exercise (Bergenthal et al, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Nov. 11, 2014). We hope these epidemiological data will inspire more controlled research to answer this question.
