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Physical Activity and Cancer pp 349–365Cite as

Physical Activity and Palliative Cancer Care

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Part of the book series: Recent Results in Cancer Research ((RECENTCANCER,volume 186))

Abstract

Palliative care is an interdisciplinary and holistic approach aimed at alleviating suffering from physical, psychosocial, and spiritual issues in progressive, advanced disease. Progressive fatigue and anorexia–cachexia syndrome can contribute to loss of physical function in the palliative cancer patient, to the detriment of overall quality of life. Physical activity is one potential intervention, which may address these needs in the palliative cancer patient. There is preliminary evidence that at least some palliative cancer patients are willing and able to tolerate physical activity interventions, with some patients demonstrating improvement in select supportive care outcomes postintervention. Methodologically rigorous studies and consensus on common definitions are required to advance this area of research.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Symptom Control and Palliative Care, Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Drive NW, Edmonton, T6G 1Z2, Alberta, Canada

    Sonya S. Lowe

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  1. Sonya S. Lowe
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Correspondence to Sonya S. Lowe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta, Van Vliet Center E488, Edmonton, T6G 2H9, Alberta, Canada

    Kerry S. Courneya

  2. Div. Population Health & Information, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 29th Street NW., 1331, Calgary, T2N 4N2, Alberta, Canada

    Christine M. Friedenreich

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© 2010 Springer Berlin Heidelberg

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Lowe, S.S. (2010). Physical Activity and Palliative Cancer Care. In: Courneya, K., Friedenreich, C. (eds) Physical Activity and Cancer. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 186. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04231-7_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04231-7_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-04230-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-04231-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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