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Francesco Bettariga ¦ Benefits of exercise in patients with cancer (70 min)
Exercise plays an essential role in the comprehensive care of patients with cancer, offering a wide array of benefits that support both physical and emotional well-being. Research has shown that incorporating exercise training programs during cancer treatment can help manage & reduce side effects such as fatigue, loss of muscle mass, cardiovascular decline & weight gain, which are common during chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Additionally, exercise can improve immune function, decrease systemic inflammation & enhance physical strength and endurance, helping patients maintain independence and better tolerate treatments.
Beyond the immediate benefits, exercise continues to play a vital role in the recovery process post-treatment. It aids in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence and improving overall survival outcomes. Regular exercise post-treatment supports recovery, enhances functional capacity, and can help manage chronic conditions that might develop as a result of cancer treatments, such as cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis. On a psychological level, exercise helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improving mental health and enhancing patients’ overall quality of life.
Emerging evidence also suggests that exercise may also improve cancer prognosis by influencing factors such as tumor biology and systemic inflammation. Tailored exercise programs, designed to fit the specific needs and limitations of individual patients with cancer, are crucial to optimizing these benefits while ensuring safety. As such, integrating exercise into cancer care, both during and after treatment, is becoming increasingly recognized as a key component of modern oncology, helping to empower patients & enhance their long-term health outcomes.
About Francesco:
He graduated in Physiotherapy cum laude and later earned his MSC in Strength and Conditioning with Honor from Middlesex University, London. He is currently a researcher at the renowned Edith Cowan University, where he is pursuing his PhD in Exercise Medicine. | 11 February 2025j F Y | 20:002025-02-11T19:00:00ZH:i | 1.3 hours
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Andrea Polli ¦ Importance of genetics, lifestyle, and contextual factors in the transition from acute to chronic pain (60 min)
Chronic pain is a complex condition influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. The reason why some people recover well from acute pain experiences while others go on developing persistent pain is still a challenge for clinicians and researchers worldwide.
Research indicates that genetic factors contribute significantly to chronic pain susceptibility, with 30-50% of the variability in pain experiences attributed to genetic differences. Specific genes involved in stress responses, inflammation, and neural signalling have been implicated in increasing vulnerability to chronic pain. However, genetic predisposition alone does not fully explain the onset or persistence of chronic pain.
The transition from acute to chronic pain is not only influenced by genetic predisposition, but also psychological aspects and clinical and lifestyle factors. Moreover, contextual factors, including biological responses, patient's understanding and expectations, play a critical role in the transition from acute to persistent pain. These factors can interact with genetic predispositions to either promote or prevent the development of chronic pain. Understanding the complex interplay between genetics, risk factors, and contextual influences is crucial for identifying individuals at risk for chronic pain and for developing more targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Dr. Andrea Polli (PT-OMPT, MSc (Pain), PhD) is a senior post-doctoral research fellow at the KU Leuven (KUL) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), in Belgium. Andrea is a physiotherapist who then specialised in pain science, obtaining the MSc in Pain: Science & Society from the prestigious King’s College London (UK). | 25 March 2025j F Y | 20:002025-03-25T19:00:00ZH:i | 1 hour
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Andrea Polli ¦ Lifestyle, epigenetics, and persistent pain (60 min)
Persistent pain is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Recent research highlights the critical role of epigenetics—the changes in gene expression driven by environmental and lifestyle factors—in the development and persistence of pain. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic changes do not alter the DNA sequence but can affect how genes involved in inflammation, stress responses, and nociceptive regulation are expressed.
While genetics contribute to pain risk, lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, physical activity, and stress management can modify the epigenome and impact pain outcomes. For instance, chronic stress and poor sleep can lead to epigenetic changes that promote inflammation and activate pain-related pathways, potentially contributing to persistent pain.
Further, chronic pain is associated with accelerated biological aging, as indicated by the epigenetic clock, a potent biomarker based on DNA methylation patterns. People with chronic pain show signs of age acceleration, which can possibly exacerbate pain and lead to additional health complications. The interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors highlights the complex biological basis of chronic pain. This emerging understanding underscores the potential for epigenetic therapies and lifestyle interventions to modify pain pathways and mitigate pain-related conditions.
Dr. Andrea Polli (PT-OMPT, MSc (Pain), PhD) is a senior post-doctoral research fellow at the KU Leuven (KUL) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), in Belgium. Andrea is a physiotherapist who then specialised in pain science, obtaining the MSc in Pain: Science & Society from the prestigious King’s College London (UK). Andrea is now a postdoctoral research fellow at the VUB and KU Leuven and leads the research line on Pain and Biology within the Pain in Motion group at the VUB, consolidating his research line in the field of pain and ME/CFS. | 29 April 2025j F Y | 20:002025-04-29T18:00:00ZH:i | 1 hour
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