Daffodil Day 25th of August

Today, Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coburg – Melbourne, and Barrie, Ontario – Canada  discusses the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day appeal and the importance of exercise in all stages of the cancer journey.

The Daffodil Day appeal is the Cancer Council’s most significant and well-known annual fundraising drive. This appeal provides awareness and education of the sadly chronic disease that impacts 150,000 individuals every year. It allows for the wider community to join as one and support those who are affected by cancer, by funding further life-saving research.

This year, Daffodil day will be celebrated on Thursday 25^th of August. Although, this does not limit your ability to get involved at any time of the month.

What are some ways to get involved in Daffodil Day?

There are three main avenues of support when wanting to join the cause:

1. Donate to cancer research
   1. https://www.daffodilday.com.au/donate

2. Fundraise and help saves lives
   1. https://www.daffodilday.com.au/about?lightbox=/register-2022

3. Get involved in your area.
   1. https://www.daffodilday.com.au/get-involved

This campaign sits extremely close to me and my family, with both of my parents being impacted from the disease. Any donation, support or involvement you can provide to help this cause is very much appreciated and hopefully gets us one step closer in finding a cure or improving treatment modalities. This may mean improved medical treatments and conservative modalities, such as exercise.

What is cancer?

The term “cancer” is given to a variety of conditions that involve uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth and division. This is a result of damage of genes that has occurred within cells that alters the function of that cell, leading to mutations. These mutations may hinder the body’s immune system, forming an abnormal mass of cells, called a tumor.

Exercise and cancer

Exercise plays a significant role in all stages of cancer:

1. Pre-diagnosis: Cancer prevention. Minimising the likelihood of developing the condition (reducing low grade inflammation)
2. During treatment
   1. Improve the physiological tolerance to medications and specific treatment
   2. Improving the efficacy of the treatment modality
   3. Minimising the likelihood and severity of negative side effects
   4. Maintaining physical function
   5. Minimising fatigue and muscular atrophy
3. Cancer survivorship
   1. Minimising the likelihood of relapse
   2. Reducing the long term effects of treatment

Exercise prescription recommendations

Aerobic training

• Frequency: 3-5 sessions/week
• Intensity: Moderate to vigorous (50-80% HRmax)
• Time: 20-30min continuous exercise, may be implemented into smaller bouts
• Type: Movements that encourage the use of large muscle groups (swimming, bike riding, running etc.)

Resistance training

• Frequency: 1-3 sessions/week
• Intensity: Moderate to vigorous (50-80% HRmax)
• Time: 1-4 sets/8-12 repetitions. Aiming to implement 6-10 exercises
• Type: Movements that encourage the use of large muscle groups, both upper and lower body. Inclusive of the utilisation of dynamic and static stretching.

If you are in need of an individualised exercise program to help support you or a loved one during their cancer journey,  call Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coburg – Melbourne, and Barrie, Ontario – Canada a call on 1300 964 002 today so we can inform you of how we can help!

Written by Kale Barton-Bissaker