Why you need exercise after a cancer diagnosis

If you have cancer, or are having treatment or recovering, you may think that you just need rest. But research shows that exercise benefits most people with cancer before, during and after treatment.

Learn more about:

• Overview
• What are the benefits of exercise?
• How much exercise should I do?
• Video: Exercise and cancer

Overview

Many people with cancer lose fitness, muscle mass and strength, and find it harder to do normal everyday tasks. Exercise can improve physical function and fatigue and help you regain strength to get back to your daily activities.

What are the benefits of exercise?

Exercise is important for everyone’s overall health and wellbeing, but it has a range of general benefits for people with cancer. It may:

• improve how you respond to treatment (for some cancers)
• reduce the risk and severity of side effects of cancer treatments
• reduce complications from surgery and time spent in hospital
• help with recovery from treatment by increasing energy levels, reducing treatment-related muscle loss, strengthening bones, and improving mobility and balance
• improve sleep and fatigue, and relieve stress, anxiety and depression
• help maintain a healthy weight
• reduce the risk of developing or improve health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes
• reduce the risk of some cancers coming back, including breast, prostate, bowel and endometrial (uterine) cancers
• boost mood and self-esteem
• offer new ways to meet people and socialise.

How much exercise should I do?

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) recommends that exercise should be prescribed to all cancer patients as a standard part of their cancer care to help manage the effects of cancer and its treatment. Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) also encourages people with cancer to exercise.

Aim to be as physically active as your abilities allow. Exercise for people living with cancer should be tailored to the type and stage of cancer and any side effects. Talk to an exercise professional (an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist) or a clinical nurse consultant about how much and what type of exercise is best for you.

COSA recommends that people with cancer who are relatively healthy and have been assessed as low risk, aim for and maintain per week:

• at least 2½ hours of moderate intensity aerobic or cardio exercise or 1¼ hours of vigorous aerobic or cardio exercise
• 2–3 strength or resistance sessions to build muscle strength.

It can take time to build up to this level of exercise. After treatment, aim to gradually increase exercise to Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Adults, which recommend you:

• move more and sit less
• aim to be active on most, preferably all, days of the week
• get a total of 2½ to 5 hours of moderate intensity or 1¼ to 2½ hours of vigorous intensity physical activity (or an equivalent combination of both moderate and vigorous activities) throughout a week
• do 2–3 strength or resistance training sessions a week, involving large muscle groups
• break up long periods of sitting as often as you can.

→ READ MORE: Treatment side effects and exercise

Video: Exercise and cancer