Getting started

Before taking part in any exercise program, either during or after treatment, it is important to talk to your oncologist or general practitioner (GP) about any precautions you should take.

While Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Adults may feel overwhelming, aim to be as physically active as your abilities allow and adapt your exercise program to suit your type and stage of cancer. Some days may be harder than others, but even a few minutes of light exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Learn more about:

Exercise equipment

You don’t need expensive equipment or special clothing to exercise, but suitable shoes are essential. Visit a reputable shoe shop for suggestions. Wear loose, comfortable clothes, such as shorts and a T-shirt, when exercising. Other equipment, such as activity monitors, weights, heart rate monitors and home-gym systems, can be useful but are not necessary.

This information was last reviewed in April 2019. View who reviewed this content.

A/Prof Prue Cormie, Chair, COSA Exercise and Cancer Group, and Principal Research Fellow – Exercise Oncology, Australian Catholic University, NSW; Rebecca Cesnik, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, ACT; Dr Nicolas Hart, Senior Research Fellow, Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cancer Council WA; Stephanie Lamb, Life Now Project Officer, Cancer Council WA; John Odd, Consumer; Sharni Quinn, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Chris Sibthorpe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland; Jane Turner, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW.

View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.