{"id":57410,"date":"2019-10-16T07:00:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-16T14:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=57410"},"modified":"2019-10-15T09:35:41","modified_gmt":"2019-10-15T16:35:41","slug":"schwartz-oncology-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/schwartz-oncology-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"Pioneering NAU oncology researcher leads publication of new exercise prescriptions for cancer prevention, survival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oct. 16, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are\nnow more than 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States, and 40\nmillion worldwide\u2014a figure expected to double by 2040. Improved prognosis has\ncreated a growing need to address the unique health issues facing cancer\nsurvivors that result from the disease, its treatment and related conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anna
Anna Schwartz during the Tour of Hope, a 7-day transcontinental bike ride to raise awareness for cancer research. \u201cOncology exercise research mandates getting outside to move,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

New guidance\npublished today from exercise oncology experts recommends the systematic use of\nan \u201cexercise prescription\u201d by health care workers and fitness professionals in\ndesigning and delivering exercise programs that aim to lower the risk of\ndeveloping certain cancers and best meet the needs, preferences and abilities\nof people with cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna L. Schwartz<\/strong>, a Northern Arizona University professor and associate director of research for the School of Nursing<\/a>, has a leading role in the new guidelines. A pioneering researcher in exercise oncology whose work started the exercise oncology movement back in the early 1990s, Schwartz is also an oncology nurse practitioner and knows what a critical role nurses play in helping cancer survivors live full and meaningful lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing the\nparadigm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The guidance, which appears in three\npublications, is a result of discussions by a roundtable of experts from 17\norganizations convened by the American\nCollege of Sports Medicine<\/a> (ACSM)\u2014which included the American Cancer\nSociety and the National Cancer Institute\u2014to review the latest scientific\nevidence and offer recommendations about the\nbenefits of exercise for prevention, treatment, recovery and improved survival. Schwartz was an invited expert at the roundtable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExercise\nprovides enormous benefit for cancer survivors and is a critical component of\ncancer care that is underutilized and often overlooked,\u201d Schwartz said.\n\u201cExercise not only helps to reduce risks for many cancers, but it also helps to\nimprove survival and reduces many of the side effects of treatment. Our goal is\nto change the paradigm so that all cancer survivors are referred to an\nappropriate exercise program to improve their health and ability to live life\nto the fullest.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new evidence-based guidance includes the following recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n