Is Exercise Recommended During Cancer Treatment?

6 Tips for Exercise During Cancer

By Georgia White

Current and ongoing research shows that exercise can play a powerful role in counteracting the physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment.

Exercise can help manage pain, fatigue and nausea, as well as improving mood, self-esteem, muscle strength and aerobic capacity. These are all very common side effects from the treatment of most cancers.

It is important to remember that exercise is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every person's cancer treatment, journey, goals, previous exercise history and medical conditions are different, and your approach to exercise should reflect that.

Six Tips for Getting the Benefits of Exercise During Treatment

1. Find an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)

AEPs complete a minimum of four years of university study specialising in prescribing and supervising exercise for people with complex health conditions, including cancer. Finding one in your area is one of the best investments you can make in your recovery.

2. Follow the Guidelines as a Starting Point

Current exercise guidelines for people with cancer or cancer survivors suggest 150 minutes of exercise per week, combining aerobic exercise (such as walking, cycling or swimming) with resistance training (such as Pilates or free weights). Remember, this is a guideline, not a rigid rule. Individualising your exercise program is what matters most.

3. Find Your Goldilocks Zone

Stick to your own individualised threshold. Not so much exercise that your side effects are exacerbated, but not so little that the exercise provides no benefit. The goal is to find what I call the "Goldilocks zone", just right for your body at this point in your journey.

4. Understand That Side Effects Can Linger

There is a common misconception that once treatment ends, all side effects disappear. In reality, many side effects such as fatigue, chemobrain and peripheral neuropathy can persist well beyond the completion of treatment. Some can even present years later. For example, a common late-onset effect of a group of chemotherapy agents called anthracyclines is cardiotoxicity, which can present up to 20 years post treatment. Exercise aims to reduce the intensity and risk of these lingering or late-presenting side effects.

5. It Is Never Too Late to Start

No matter what stage of your cancer journey you are at, it is never too late to engage in exercise. Exercise means something different to everyone. Some of my patients come in wanting to return to the gym or Pilates they did before treatment. Others want to run a marathon, keep up with their grandkids or simply walk around the shops without getting breathless. Every goal is valid and worth working towards.

6. Learn More

This fantastic resource covers how exercise provides varying benefits across a number of cancer types. Cancer Exercise eBook

Georgia White is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist specialising in oncology (AEP AES ESSAM B. Clin Ex Phys. GradCertExerMed (Onc)). She works with cancer patients and survivors to develop safe, individualised exercise programs that support recovery and improve quality of life.

If you find yourself needing to talk to someone after reading this article you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or The Cancer Council on 13 11 20