Exercise medicine in cancer care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Every four minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with cancer. Early detection and effective treatment means that many of these people are living with the side effects of cancer and its treatment for numerous years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to summarise the evidence examining the role of exercise in cancer care. DISCUSSION: Exercise is a safe and effective adjunct therapy in cancer care. Patients with cancer who regularly engage in moderate-intensity exercise are more likely to have: fewer and less severe treatment-related side effects; a lower relative risk of developing other chronic diseases; and, in some cases, a lower relative risk of cancer recurrence and mortality. Available evidence highlights the benefits of general practitioners (GPs) discussing and recommending exercise to their patients with cancer. To optimise the therapeutic effect of exercise, GPs may consider referring patients with cancer to an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist who has experience in cancer care.