In addition to chemotherapy, how to support patients with pancreatic cancers ? Researchers from the Institut Curie have tested the APA, for adapted physical activity, to relieve the sick. The objective is to limit the loss of muscle mass and to fight against fatigue. Fact, the side effects of the treatments are less. Added to this is nutritional support.
This may seem counter-intuitive, and yet scientists have demonstrated the usefulness of physical activity in patients with pancreatic cancer to improve their quality of life. They spent about 10 years studying more than 300 patients divided into two groups: some only on chemotherapy, others with chemo and APA.
Relieve patients through sport
Sure, the sport practiced by the patients has been adapted to their physical condition, around two axes: muscle building and endurance. Alongside the exercises provided by a specialist teacher, patients had to be accompanied by a loved one to motivate them.
Over the course of their study, the scientists were able to observe:significant improvement in several dimensions of patient quality of life with pancreatic cancer: physical, emotional and cognitive functioning, and certain symptoms (fatigue, pain, nausea, appetite).” To this is added a trend, which is not significant according to them: a better response to treatment and an “improvement in overall survival”they note.
Source : Pancreatic cancer: an original study on the benefits of Adapted Physical Activity for patients, Institut Curie, June 5, 2022.
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