Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US. More than 500,000 people die of cancer each year. About 10 million Americans live with a history of cancer.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) International Multidisciplinary Roundtable on Exercise and Cancer updated the evidence showing the potential for physical activity to reduce risk for multiple cancers and recommended more systematic use of an “exercise prescription” by medical providers and fitness professionals working with cancer patients and survivors.
Regular physical activity has been linked with numerous health benefits, including reduced risk for multiple types of cancer and improved survival and quality of life among cancer survivors. However, many clinicians do not routinely advise cancer patients or survivors to engage in physical activity for various reasons including lack of awareness on the benefits of exercise for this patient population, or uncertainty regarding safety and suitability. This set of comprehensive reviews establishes the benefits of physical activity for cancer prevention, and that exercise is generally safe and well-tolerated, and improves physical functioning, reduces anxiety and depressive-symptoms, and mitigates fatigue during and after cancer treatments.
Information posted by: “New Reports Highlight the Critical Role of Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention, Treatment, and Survival was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.” National Cancer Institute
There is no optimal exercise program for people with cancer. The goal is to preserve and possibly improve function. Be prepared to modify your activity as needed. Let your current condition and reactions to changes in treatment guide you.
| AEROBIC EXERCISE | |||
| Frequency | Intensity | Duration | Method |
| 3-5 days of activity per week | Moderate (based on the talk test) | 20-60 minutes (at once, or 10 min bouts) | Body-weight bearing exercises |
| STRENGTH EXERCISE | |||
| Frequency | Intensity | Duration | Method |
| 2-3 days per week (rest in between) | Moderate (use 15-rep max), but only 6 reps per exercise | 1-3 sets per exercise (max of 8 exercises) | Resistance bands or machine weights |
