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February 13, 2024 – A recent study published in the journal CANCER suggests that physical activity could play a significant role in reducing the intensity of ongoing pain experienced by individuals who have had cancer.
The study, conducted by researchers from the American Cancer Society in Georgia and the University of Melbourne in Australia, aimed to explore the relationship between physical activity and pain intensity among individuals with and without a history of cancer.
Dr. Erika Rees-Punia, from the Department of Population Science at the American Cancer Society, highlighted the findings, stating, “Physical activity is an effective, non-pharmacological option for reducing many types of pain, including pain associated with cancer and its treatments.”
The research involved analyzing data from 51,439 adults without a history of cancer and 10,651 adults with a past cancer diagnosis. Participants were asked to rate their average pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable) and provide details about their usual physical activity levels.
The results revealed a significant association between higher levels of physical activity and lower pain intensity among both individuals with a history of cancer and those without. This suggests that exercise may alleviate cancer-related pain to a similar extent as other types of pain studied previously.
Among participants with a past cancer diagnosis, those who exceeded physical activity guidelines were found to be 16% less likely to report moderate-to-severe pain compared to those who did not meet physical activity recommendations. Additionally, individuals who maintained consistent physical activity or adopted an active lifestyle later in adulthood reported less pain compared to inactive individuals.
These findings underscore the potential benefits of physical activity in managing cancer-related pain and highlight the importance of incorporating exercise as part of comprehensive pain management strategies for cancer survivors and individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
The study contributes valuable insights into non-pharmacological approaches to pain management, offering hope for improved quality of life among individuals affected by cancer.
