People with cancer should exercise at least 5 times per week, 30 to 60 minutes each of moderate to vigorous intensity3.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, breast cancer survivors who were the most physically active had a 40% lower risk of death from breast cancer than those who were the least physically active7.
Research strongly suggests that exercise is not only safe during cancer treatment, but it can also improve physical functioning and many aspects of quality of life8.
Two recent studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on colon cancer survival and reduces recurrence. The study, which included 832 patients with stage III colon cancer over a 3-year span, found a significant reduction in cancer recurrence and overall mortality. Patients who engaged in at least 18 MET-hours per week of physical activity showed a better outcome, with 47% having significant improvement in disease-free survival9.
Study analyzed 152 patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) between 2013 and 2016. Skeletal muscle index was significantly increased in the cancer rehabilitation (CR) group compared with control. The survival rate was significantly higher in the CR group than in the control group. CR was associated with prolonged survival in patients with HCC who underwent TACE. Patients with cancer are recommended to maintain physical activity even during cancer treatment10.
Participants were patients with liver cancer who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in a university hospital; patients in the experimental group received exercise therapy.It was found that the back pain score of the exercise group was lower, first dose analgesics were delayed. In addition, there were no significant differences in bleeding complications in the exercise group11.
Limited evidence from a few epidemiologic studies suggests that physical activity after a prostate cancer diagnosis is associated with a 33% lower risk of death from prostate cancer and a 45% lower risk of death from any cause12. The standard treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer is Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT produces diverse side effects, including loss of libido, changes in body composition (increase abdominal fat), reduced muscle mass, and muscle tone. Analysis of numerous research publications showed that aerobic and/or resistance training improve a patient's physical condition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, and fatigue. In addition epidemiological and in vitro studies have shown that exercise might decrease prostate cancer development13.