More than 200 patients from Santa Lucia de Cartagena use the gym for cancer patients.

CARTAGENA. He gym For cancer patients at the Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena Since its launch in February 2023, it has treated 215 patients with various types of cancer, who were able to safely and individually exercise to relieve the symptoms of their disease.

Of the total number of interim consultations received, 75 were for breast cancer, 38 for lung, 20 for colon, 14 for gynecology, 12 for lymphoma, 12 for central nervous system tumors, 10 for pancreas and 32 for others. There are currently around 90 patients using this service, divided into several exercise groups.

This is a new benefit, intended for adult patients over 18 years of age with a cancer diagnosis or treatment, which is offered from Monday to Friday afternoons in the multi-purpose room on the terrace of the hospital, regional government sources said. government, this is a statement.

The goal is to add to these patients the benefits of physical activity, tailored to their specific medical situation and physical condition, to help them alleviate some of the most common symptoms associated with the disease and its radiation and chemotherapy, such as pain, fatigue, tumor asthenia , lymph fluid accumulation or bone loss.

This is the first physical therapy unit of this type for cancer patients at the regional level in the Murcia Health Service.

The activity is carried out by two specialized physiotherapists, part of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Hospital Complex of the University of Cartagena, who provide this care with the support of the Oncology and Nutrition Infirmary and the Clinical Psychology Service.

The gym has special machines for cardiovascular exercise and aerobic training; In particular, there are two treadmills for walking and running, an elliptical bike and two bicycle ergometers. And also a rowing machine, which also affects the muscular system.

Additionally, it includes other functional exercise materials such as weight bench, iron bars and plates, resin box, dumbbells, resistance bands and fitness balls, among others.

Scientific evidence has shown that the practice of exercise in these types of patients during illness stimulates positive responses in various systems and organs of the body and promotes adaptations and responses beneficial to the immune system.

Programs of aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, or strength and flexibility exercises before surgery have also been shown to reduce postoperative complications and improve recovery after surgery, reducing hospital stay.

The number of new cases detected in the Cartagena health district remains around a thousand per year, which is the trend in recent years.

In the day hospital of the University Hospital Complex of Cartagena, more than 10,000 cycles of intravenous or subcutaneous antitumor treatment have been carried out over the past year, most often for patients with breast, lung or digestive system cancer, amounting to an average of 700 patients per month.

On the other hand, in 2021, the oncology service attended more than 20 thousand consultations, of which 1,100 were new patients, and the rest were consecutive consultations of already known patients who were undergoing treatment or undergoing follow-up.