In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in the way cancer treatment is approached. Traditionally, cancer treatment has heavily relied on medical interventions such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. However, a growing body of research is turning the spotlight towards a more holistic approach—one that integrates exercise and nutrition as essential components of cancer care. This change in perspective is being propelled by initiatives like the Exercise and Nutrition to Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (ENICTO) Consortium. But what exactly does this mean for us as fitness professionals, and why is it important to pay attention?
The ENICTO Study: Why It Matters
The ENICTO Consortium was established by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to address a critical gap in cancer care. While chemotherapy can be effective in treating cancer, its side effects can be debilitating and can significantly impact a patient’s ability to complete treatment as planned. Common issues like fatigue, muscle loss, anxiety, and depression often compromise a patient’s quality of life and their ability to receive the full intended dosage of chemotherapy. This is where ENICTO comes in.
The study set out to explore whether structured exercise and nutrition interventions could help improve chemotherapy outcomes. Researchers aimed to see if these interventions could maintain what’s called chemotherapy relative dose intensity (RDI), which essentially measures how consistently patients are able to receive their prescribed chemotherapy treatments. A high RDI is crucial, as it’s closely linked with improved survival rates.
How the Study Was Conducted
The ENICTO Consortium is made up of four randomised controlled trials, each with its own specific focus. These trials collectively involved over a thousand patients with different types of cancer, and each trial combined various forms of exercise and nutrition interventions during chemotherapy. The interventions ranged from aerobic and resistance training to protein supplementation and tailored nutrition plans, with two of the trials even incorporating remote supervision via telehealth.
The researchers monitored multiple outcomes, such as body composition, patient-reported symptoms, and blood markers. The primary measure across all trials was chemotherapy relative dose intensity (RDI). They also examined the effects of these interventions on side effects like gastrointestinal distress, neuropathy, and fatigue.
Key Findings and Conclusions
The findings were promising. Across the board, the studies indicated that targeted exercise and nutrition interventions could significantly improve a patient’s ability to tolerate chemotherapy. These interventions helped maintain muscle mass, reduce fatigue, and improve overall physical and mental health, all of which contributed to a higher chemotherapy RDI.
The researchers concluded that there is strong potential for a paradigm shift in oncology care. Integrating structured exercise and nutrition programmes as part of cancer treatment could become the standard approach, offering a more comprehensive way to support patients through chemotherapy. The ENICTO study reinforces the idea that cancer treatment should not only focus on medical interventions but also prioritise the patient’s overall health and wellbeing.
What This Means for Us
For fitness professionals, this shift in cancer care opens up new opportunities to align with the medical community. The ENICTO findings show that there’s a crucial role for exercise and nutrition in supporting cancer patients, which means that personal trainers and nutrition coaches can play a significant part in this emerging model of care.
But this requires a shift in thinking. We must embrace a more holistic approach that goes beyond simply focusing on physical fitness. It’s about understanding how exercise and nutrition can work together to improve health outcomes. Here are a few key takeaways:
- Expand Your Knowledge and Skills: Understanding the specifics of how exercise and nutrition affect cancer patients during and after treatment is essential. Consider pursuing specialised courses in exercise oncology or cancer rehabilitation to deepen your expertise and build credibility in this niche area.
- Collaborate with Healthcare Providers: The ENICTO study highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. Collaborating with healthcare providers, such as oncologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists, can enhance the support you provide to your clients. Establishing a network with medical professionals not only improves client care but also positions you as a key player in the broader healthcare community.
- Adopt a Holistic Perspective: Take a step back and look at fitness from a holistic point of view. It’s not just about prescribing exercise routines or giving nutritional advice in isolation. Think about how these elements can work synergistically to boost physical and mental health, particularly for clients recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions.
Moving Forward
The ENICTO study marks an exciting time in cancer care, where the focus is expanding beyond traditional medical treatments to include comprehensive lifestyle interventions. This is a call to action for us to stay informed, expand our expertise, and work collaboratively with the medical community.
By embracing a holistic approach that integrates exercise and nutrition, we can become essential allies in helping clients not only survive but thrive during and after cancer treatment. The future of cancer care is evolving, and with it comes an opportunity to make a profound difference in people’s lives.
Reference
Schmitz, K.H., et al. (2024). Exercise and Nutrition to Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (ENICTO) Consortium. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1-11. Click here to review the full research article.
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Work with Medical Professionals
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