Cancer patients are encouraged to exercise as much as possible because of its many health benefits. Exercise can improve physical well-being, alleviate symptoms of illness, and boost mood. Fighting cancer can lead to a sedentary lifestyle that can accelerate aging by weakening bones, muscles, and the heart. This can make it difficult for a cancer survivor to return to an active lifestyle after treatment. Exercise can also help lessen symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, leading to a better quality of life and reducing the risk of developing anxiety and depression.1 Exercise has also been linked to reduced rates of tumor growth with some studies even showing that intense exercise can shrink tumors by boosting immune cells.2 For people who were active before their cancer diagnosis, the frequency or intensity of exercise may need to be decreased. The ultimate goal is to stay as active and healthy as possible while allowing rest when needed.1

It is important to consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially when undergoing certain treatments that can affect the heart and lungs, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Physical activity can be incorporated into your daily routine in a variety of ways such as walking a dog, playing with children, gardening, housework, or walking to a restaurant or shop. There are situations when exercise should be avoided such as if you have a low red blood cell count (anemia) or your electrolytes are low from vomiting or diarrhea. Additionally, in some instances, certain types of exercise should be avoided. For example, you should avoid lifting heavy weights as a form of exercise if you have osteoporosis (weak bones) or nerve damage. For cancer patients experiencing fatigue that do not feel up to exercising, 10 minutes a day of light exercise is recommended.1

After the completion of treatment, exercise is still very important for both general health and reducing risk of cancer recurrence. The American Cancer Society recommendation for cancer survivors is to exercise for at least two and a half hours per week.1 Obesity is linked to increased risk of developing 13 different types of cancer including breast, colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, and uterine and increased cancer recurrence. About 40% of cancer cases in the U.S. each year are obesity-associated.3 Exercise is beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight to limit risk of cancer.1

References

1.     Physical Activity and the Cancer Patient https://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorship-during-and-after-treatment/staying-active/physical-activity-and-the-cancer-patient.html (accessed May 13, 2021).

2.     Intense exercise can reduce the growth, size and frequency of cancer tumors by 50% https://cancer.news/2019-02-18-intense-exercise-can-reduce-the-growth-size-of-cancer-tumors.html#:~:text=Multiple%20studies%20have%20reported%20that%C2%A0intense%20exercise%20can%C2%A0even%20help,can%20boost%20the%20effectiveness%20of%20other%20cancer%20therapies. (accessed May 13, 2021).

3.     Obesity and Cancer https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/obesity/index.htm (accessed May 19, 2021).