How Exercise Can Help Manage Depression During Cancer

Physical activity offers plenty of benefits for people with cancer. For example, it can help with managing certain side effects of treatment, such as fatigue. But research shows exercise can have an impact on improving your mental health during cancer, too.

A new study looked at data from past clinical trials and found that aerobic exercise can help reduce depression in people with cancer. Aerobic exercise, also called “cardiovascular exercise” or “cardio,” is physical activity that increases your heart rate and breathing. It includes activities like walking, running, biking, and swimming. Based on the previous clinical trials, the study found that people who did aerobic exercise reported having fewer symptoms of depression. This decrease was seen in both the short term (within 1 month) and the long term (6 to 12 months later). The study was published in JAMA Open Network.

“The bottom line of this analysis is that aerobic exercise may improve depression for patients living with and beyond cancer. However, exercise likely needs to be continued to sustain these benefits,” said Larissa Nekhlyudov, MD, MPH, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and the clinical director of Internal Medicine for Cancer Survivors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The signs of depression during cancer

If you have cancer, it’s normal to feel sad, angry, or numb at times. But if these feelings aren’t going away or start interfering with your daily life, they could be a sign of depression. Depression is common during cancer. In fact, 1 in 4 people with cancer experiences depression at some point.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of depression so it can be managed. But people can experience depression in different ways. One person may feel sad or may seem withdrawn. Another might feel angry and exhausted. That’s because depression can affect all aspects of your well-being, including:

• Your mood and emotions. Depression can make you feel sad, hopeless, angry, or irritable. Often, you may not know why you’re feeling a certain way. Depression may also cause you to feel numb or worthless.
• Your behavior. People with depression may lose motivation to do their daily activities. They may also lose interest in the things they used to enjoy or withdraw from their loved ones. 
• Your thinking. When you’re depressed, you may have difficulty focusing or making decisions. You may also have trouble remembering things.
• Your physical health. Depression can lead to fatigue, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and a lower sex drive.

If you experience any of these signs of depression, talk with your doctor. They can help you address the cause of the symptoms. They can also refer you to a mental health professional if needed.

Working out and cancer: The benefits of exercise on mental health

Exercise and mental health can be directly linked. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are substances that help relieve pain and increase pleasure. The endorphins released during exercise can help improve your mood and overall sense of well-being.

Aerobic exercise, in particular, may be helpful during cancer. Aside from reducing depression, it could help prevent other health conditions, too. “Keep in mind that in addition to depression, aerobic exercise has other health benefits, including reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes,” said Dr. Nekhlyudov.

Research shows that, for most people, exercise is safe and helpful before, during, and after cancer treatment. If you are looking to get started with aerobic exercise, first talk with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you. If it’s not safe for you to do aerobic exercise, talk to your doctor about other physical activity. A referral to physical or occupational therapy may help. Cancer rehabilitation (rehab) may also be an option.

Remember that any amount of physical activity can have health benefits. Even taking a short walk will help get your body moving. As you become more comfortable with movement, you may try going for longer walks. Or, you may prefer trying a different activity. For example, you may try biking or swimming. Whatever activity you decide to do, remember to start slowly and go at a pace that feels right for you.

Dr. Nekhlyudov is a member of ASCO’s Patient Information Editorial Board.