Exercise in cancer recovery: an overview of the evidence

Abstract

With survival prospects following cancer diagnosis improving, more attention is being placed on the need for effective rehabilitation strategies. One strategy with the potential to positively influence the psychosocial as well as physical and functional status of patients with cancer is exercise. Increasing scientific evidence is available to support that participating in exercise during and following treatment for cancer, in particular breast cancer, is associated with improvements in psychosocial and physical outcomes. Although the exercise prescriptive characteristics have differed between investigations, the general recommended exercise prescription is of moderate-intensity, regular frequency (3-5 times/week) for 20-30 minutes per session. To ensure translation of research knowledge into clinical practice, future research must begin to evaluate how best to integrate exercise rehabilitation into the routine clinical care of cancer patients.