HEALTH UPDATE: childhood cancer survivors physically inactive

Many adult survivors of childhood leukaemia get little or no exercise, which increases their chances of becoming obese and developing other health problems.
Before the mid-1960s, few children survived acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer, in which the bone marrow produces large numbers of immature, abnormal white blood cells that quickly replace normal cells, a website reported.
But with advances in the medical field in recent times, most children are now cured, and the number of adult survivors is growing.
Overcoming paediatric leukaemia may only mark the beginning of a young survivor's lifelong battle to stay healthy and the lack of any physical activity or exercise can only lead to complications such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
The problem appears largely related to long-term treatment side effects - in particular, the effects of radiation therapy to the brain.