Runners & CLL

[SantaZia]

I am seeing a lot of runners posting on various CLL sites. Has there been any studies on this? I am a older marathon runner recently diagnosed. It seems a bit unusual.

[AussieNeil Administrator]

I've never come across a study analysing whether people participating in specific exercise types are over represented in those diagnosed with CLL. Actually there is plenty of evidence that exercise is probably the best health intervention when you have any cancer:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Even past concerns about the presumed adverse impact of marathon running on the immune system (and hence potentially reducing cytotoxic T cell effectiveness in cancer surveillance) are now considered wrong:

theconversation.com/does-ru...

I would say that you have probably already identified your primary risk factors; your age and a possibly a familal risk. Monoclonal B-Cell Lymphocytosis becomes increasingly common with age and can be the precursor to CLL.

I see from your profile that you started taking medical cannabis as a sleep aid. While a small study supports this:

newatlas.com/health-wellbei... there is also evidence that cannabinoids shift the CLL tumour load from the blood into the lymph nodes, where CLL most actively propagates: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Neil

[headjog]

I've never run in my life....apart from when I'm late for the plane!!

I guess we all have a vague idea of why we have CLL despite being told it's not lifestyle related.

I believe I got it from fuel oil (benzene)...I used to work on oil boilers and when I was younger I used to suck the oil through the pipes to clear air locks!

Not much health and safety back then!

[Kwenda]

Having also watched various CLL forums for now 16 years I can say that you will also find many cyclists with CLL.This includes some who were cycling each way for their chemotherapy and other hospital visits.

Also don't forget the many numerous walkers, some who go to the Welsh mountains, and some living in rugged parts of Scotland.

In summary....

YES exercise is GOOD for anyone with CLL, it is the best 'medicine' that you can take.

Dick

[kablea]

I also think we exercise fans tend to promote exercise in general, so we come to the fore and shout it out. I look back to my early days of running, with a virus, in bad weather. I used to have all sorts of sinus problems and that was clearly harmful. As an horticulturalist, I sprayed with agent orange in my first employment so I tend to blame that. Whatever, a run in the Peak District is still one of my greatest joys. Long may it last.

[otonal]

I can trace 2 set-backs to my health, the first Epstein- Barre infections in my teens, the second after running a marathon in my 3rd. decade.

[lexie]

I am a long time runner having competed in weekly 10k's and 9 miles. My long runs were 13 miles at most. I admire anyone who went for marathons. I like the sense of speed in a race, although I am not a fast runner. I do not connect running with my CLL unless it was all the Round-Up they used for years along the road edges to keep weeds down. I think I got CLL in spite of tons of exercise and watching my diet not because of it.

[SantaZia]

Hi everyone I wasn't suggesting that long distance running was the cause of CLL. I just noticed a number of runners in our group. There are a few studies that indicated running, cycling, swimming and other exercise changes the red blood count and enlarges red blood cells. This isn't necessarily detrimental. I asked my hematologist/oncologist if I should continue to run marathons. He said run as many as you'd like. I will be 73 for my next one, CIM 12/22

[headjog in reply to SantaZia]

Thats amazing 👏

[Hidden]

So impressed by you. I finished chemo in January if this year and was slowly trying to get back to running. So far still walking a few k a day in good days. Unfortunately I didn’t start slow enough I fear and now have plantar fasciitis in my left foot. So frustrating It’s been 5 months with ice, rest, physio and exercises but still here. Any tips would help. I really miss running and look forward to doing a 5 k fun run again.

[Biker7 in reply to Hidden]

My husband had plantar fasciitis earlier this year. Podiatrist recommended custom-made orthotics and stretching exercises for the lower legs. There was rapid improvement and he rarely has pain from it now.

[SantaZia]

Hi Peace2 I haven't had Chemo but when I was on Lupron and Radiation for PC I could barely run. Get yourself some Hoka shoes for the Plantar and don't walk around barefoot. I even wear them as slippers. They are really soft and work.

[Hidden in reply to SantaZia]

I’ve never heard of hoka. Runners or sandal type?

[Biker7 in reply to Hidden]

I just found this site re plantar fasciitis while searching Hoka shoes. plantarfasciitisresource.co...

[SantaZia in reply to Hidden]

Running shoes

[PalmettoMiami]

Just adding info. My husband was an avid runner back in the 1970's and 1980's in particular. He belonged to a large running club in Ft. Lauderdale Florida and it is interesting that so many others here also were or are still runners. I know Roundup was implicated for causing CLL and it does stand to reason that someone running outdoors along parks and highways could be exposed to this chemical.

[NaderE]

I ran many marathons and 1/2 marathons for over 15 years prior to being diagnosed with PLL. While I do believe exercising is very helpful, some symptoms of CLL and long distance running are common such as lower hemoglobin and night sweats. I was turned away many times when I was donating blood due to lower hemoglobin, long prior to my diagnosis. Also it was typical for me to get sick (colds) after long runs (18 miles or higher) which is attributed to lower immune system. When running long distance one puts a lot of stress on the body resulting in lower immunity. I'm sure cycling is similar.

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to NaderE]

Seems the connection between intense exercise and the overall impact on the immune system is uncertain, per these two papers, for example. Lower immunity might only be of concern for a short while after intense exercise and there are some positive aspects of the immune system response to exercise, such as the temporary boost in your neutrophil count.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/208...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/265...

Neil

[NaderE]

Thank you Neil. I do believe the impact on the immune system is short lived following intense exercise, and in fact the long term impact is very positive. Nader

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to NaderE]

Indeed the long term impact of exercise is very positive, such that An exercise pill would be prescribed to every cancer patient worldwide and viewed as a major breakthrough in cancer treatment: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...