Cancer’s far-reaching impact on people’s lives is undeniable, and one prominent figure in the fight against this dreaded disease has a personal connection that drives his quest for innovative solutions.
Meet Rob Newton, a distinguished scientist, and sports expert. Newton’s father, Usher, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993. Following surgery and radiation, Usher’s health deteriorated significantly due to muscle weakness and fatigue. Seeking guidance from his doctor, Usher was advised to rest, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that only worsened his condition. Newton, an exercise scientist, believed this approach was flawed and could have detrimental effects on the body.
Newton’s concerns were tragically confirmed when Usher passed away two years later due to a stroke. Reflecting on his father’s experience, Newton realized the potential impact of exercise in prolonging and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
Motivated by his father’s journey, Newton altered his career trajectory. He left behind glamorous assignments with renowned sports teams like Manchester United, the Chicago Bulls, and the Wallabies to pursue a professorship at Edith Cowan University in 2002. His mission was to aid cancer patients in surviving the treatments meant to save them.
Drawing on the wealth of knowledge from sports science, which has historically improved the performance of athletes, Newton sought to apply similar principles to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments. Newton collaborated with Perth-based oncologists Nigel Spry and David Joseph, who shared his concerns about their patients’ struggles.
Newton’s initial focus was on men dealing with prostate cancer, given his father’s experience with the disease. He observed that testosterone suppression therapy, while effective against cancer, led to adverse side effects like loss of bone density, muscle mass decline, and weight gain. Newton designed tailored exercise programs, including resistance and cardio training, to counteract these effects and improve the patients’ physical conditions.
Fast forward two decades, and the gym within ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences is now a bustling hub of activity. Numerous older individuals undergoing cancer treatments follow Newton’s exercise regimens, defying the conventional notion of rest for cancer patients. Their commitment to physical activity has yielded impressive results, with research studies indicating that modest levels of exercise can significantly increase survival chances and reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
Moreover, exercise isn’t solely beneficial for patients’ overall well-being; exciting research now reveals its direct impact on combatting cancer. Exercise has been linked to tumor size reduction and enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
One individual who has benefited from Newton’s approach is Michael Pittaway, a retired business manager at the age of 79, diagnosed with prostate cancer. Inspired by the struggles his wife and son faced during their cancer treatments, Pittaway was determined to tackle his therapy head-on. Embracing Newton’s exercise program, he found that his treatment was less severe than anticipated. The camaraderie among program participants also played a vital role in supporting one another throughout the challenging journey.
Although Newton and his colleagues have made remarkable progress, he remains disappointed by the limited adoption of exercise-based cancer care among his peers. Drawing a parallel with post-heart attack rehabilitation programs, Newton emphasizes the urgent need to integrate exercise into cancer treatment and change the prevailing narrative.
As Newton’s revolutionary approach continues to prove its worth, cancer care is primed for a transformation that not only extends lives but also enhances the overall well-being of patients.