Improving cancer side effects with exercise
Biological Science student Jonathon Mok is leading a study to tackle the negative physical and mental side effects of breast cancer treatment.
At Loughborough University we pride ourselves on providing our biosciences students with the skills and knowledge to tackle global health issues. The teaching on our Biological Sciences degree inspired Jonathon to investigate innovative ways to improve quality of life for cancer patients for his dissertation.
Life-changing research
Using the library’s extensive access to online scientific journals, Jonathon researched the literature surrounding breast cancer and exercise.
He found that nobody had previously characterised the lasting effects of endurance (such as lifting weights) and resistance exercises (such as walking and jogging) on the physical and mental health of breast cancer patients undergoing post-surgery ‘adjuvant therapy’ and so decided to undertake a meta-analysis to address this.
Impressed with the quality of Jonathan’s novel research project, his tutor suggested that Jonathan developed his work further and it has now been published in the academic journal ‘Scientific Report’.
Adjuvant therapies – such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and forms of targeted therapy – have shown great success in increasing the survival of breast cancer patients. However, they can also have negative side effects that profoundly impact patients’ physical and emotional health, decreasing quality of life and adherence to treatment, which in turn decreases the efficiency of treatment.
Working collaboratively with experts in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Jonathon found that combined resistance and endurance exercise interventions are beneficial to cardiorespiratory fitness, depression, muscular endurance, muscular strength, quality of life, and social functioning.
The findings revealed that combining these exercises can significantly improve fatigue in breast cancer patients – which is an important discovery given this side effect reportedly affects between 62% and 85% of patients undergoing treatment.
I am so impressed. This is exceptional for an undergraduate student. Jonathon’s already working at PhD level – I have high hopes for his future career as a research scientist.
Improving health for millions
The study concludes that, by reducing the negative side effects, these interventions can enhance treatment adherence rates, therefore increasing treatment efficiency and ultimately improving disease prognosis.
Jonathon hopes the research will progress literature, improving the process of adjuvant treatment for breast cancer patients to minimise its detrimental side effects. He explained: “This will help those undergoing aggressive cancer treatments to return to a functional lifestyle post-treatment.”
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