The Benefits of Exercise During Cancer Treatment

Diet, Habits, & Other Behaviors, Treatment & Management

Farmin Shahabuddin, MPH, Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund

You may have heard that regular exercise can reduce your likelihood of developing cancer, but did you know it is also good for cancer patients who are going through treatment?

Is Exercise Good for Everyone with Cancer?

If you or someone you love is going through cancer treatment, you may wonder whether exercise is safe or even possible. The answer, according to a growing body of research, is yes. In 2022, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) formally recommended that cancer doctors encourage their patients to do regular physical activity during treatment.1

Until recently, most of the research on exercise and cancer focused on patients with breast or colon cancer. However, newer studies have shown that exercise benefits people with many different types of cancer.2,3 A large 2025 review combined data from 151 studies involving nearly 1.5 million cancer patients with breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and skin cancers. Across all these cancer types, patients who were physically active were less likely to die from their cancer than those who were not active.4

Of course, exercising during treatment can feel difficult. Cancer and its treatments can cause fatigue, pain, and other symptoms that make physical activity challenging. But exercise does not have to be intense to be helpful. Even gentle stretching, short walks, or light movement throughout the day can make a difference. A 2022 review of 15 clinical trials found that even patients with advanced cancers who participated in exercise programs at a low level of effort saw improvements in fatigue, independence, quality of life, and sleep.5

How Does Exercise Help Cancer Patients?

You may be wondering why exercise helps during cancer treatment. Researchers have found that it works in several ways. Exercise lowers levels of certain hormones, such as estrogen, that can fuel the growth of some cancers, and it reduces inflammation throughout the body, which is believed to play a role in how cancer develops and spreads.⁶ A 2026 clinical trial also found that patients who followed a simple home-based walking and resistance band program had a healthier immune response during chemotherapy, which may explain why they experienced fewer side effects like mental fatigue and difficulty thinking.⁷

Physical Benefits of Exercise During Treatment

The ASCO review found that exercise during cancer treatment led to improvements in heart and lung fitness, muscle strength, and energy levels.1 Other studies have found that cancer patients who exercise during treatment have lower body fat, lower blood pressure, and stronger bones, which means fewer fractures.8,9 Patients who exercised also reported less nausea and better sleep.8 The most commonly reported improvement was reduced fatigue, which is one of the most challenging side effects of cancer treatment.8,9

Beyond helping reduce side effects, exercise may also help cancer patients live longer. A 2025 review that followed nearly 1.5 million cancer patients for 6 months to several years after their diagnosis found that those who were physically active were less likely to die from their cancer than those who were not active. The benefit was seen across several types of cancer. Breast cancer patients who exercised were 31% less likely to die from their cancer, followed by colorectal cancer patients at 29%, prostate cancer patients at 27%, and lung cancer patients at 24%, compared to patients with those cancers who did not exercise.4 

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Cancer patients who exercised during treatment also reported improved mental and emotional well-being.2 They frequently reported a higher quality of life, less anxiety, and felt more motivated.8 Cancer patients over the age of 80 who exercised regularly during their weeks or months of treatment reported fewer memory problems.10 A review of studies that was published in 2025 noted that exercise during treatment can help improve emotional health, reduce symptoms of depression, and support overall psychological well-being across many cancer types.6

Exercise May Help Relieve “Chemo Brain”

“Chemo brain” (also known as chemo fog) is a common side effect of chemotherapy that affects many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Common symptoms include having trouble learning new tasks, remembering names, paying attention, and concentrating. Chemo brain can be upsetting and make everyday life much harder.

Fortunately, research suggests that exercise can help. A 2021 study found that patients who averaged  2.5 to 5 hours of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) per week or 1.5 to 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise (such as running) per week before, during, and after chemotherapy for breast cancer were less likely to report chemo brain symptoms than patients who did not exercise.11

A 2026 clinical trial tested a home-based exercise program in 687 cancer patients at 20 cancer centers across the United States.7 All patients were about to start chemotherapy. They were randomly assigned to either follow the exercise program or receive their usual care. The exercise program included daily walking and resistance band exercises at a light to moderate level of effort for 6 weeks. Before starting chemotherapy, patients in both groups were walking about 4,000 to 5,000 steps a day from their normal daily activities. After 6 weeks, patients who did not follow the exercise program were walking about half as many steps, while patients on the exercise program kept up their usual amount of walking.7 

Among patients receiving chemotherapy in 2-week cycles, those on the exercise program reported less overall cognitive impairment and less mental fatigue compared to those who did not exercise.7 In the exercise group, 92% of patients said they had a more positive view of exercise after the study, and 97% said they would recommend the program to other patients receiving chemotherapy.⁷

What Kind of Exercise Should I Do?

Light to moderate physical activity was the most common type of exercise studied in cancer patients.1,2 Combining activities that get your heart rate up, like walking or swimming, with activities that build muscle strength, like using light weights or resistance bands, led to greater health benefits than either type alone.2,9 The 2026 clinical trial described above found that a simple program of daily walking plus resistance band exercises, done at home without a gym or special equipment, was enough to make a meaningful difference during chemotherapy.7 Walking is the easiest way to start. Studies show that walking 3 to 5 hours per week provides the greatest benefit, but even 1 hour of walking per week showed improvements over no activity at all.3

The most important thing is to make exercise a habit. Start small by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or taking a walk during the day if you can. It is better to start small and keep it up than to try to do too much and give up. Do not miss the chance to get at least some benefit from this easy, free way to fight cancer.

The Bottom Line

Cancer patients who engage in even light or moderate physical activity regularly during treatment can expect fewer side effects, including less fatigue, fewer problems with concentration and memory, and better overall fitness and health. A home-based program of walking and resistance band exercises has been shown to reduce chemo brain and mental fatigue during chemotherapy. Exercise benefits people with all types of cancer, including those with advanced disease. Even a little exercise is better than none, and it is never too late to begin.

References

  1. Ligibel, J. A., Bohlke, K., May, A. M., Clinton, S. K., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Gilchrist, S. C., Irwin, M. L., Late, M., Mansfield, S., Marshall, T. F., Meyerhardt, J. A., Thomson, C. A., Wood, W. A., & Alfano, C. M. (2022). Exercise, diet, and weight management during cancer treatment: ASCO guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 40(22), 2491–2507. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.22.00687
  2. Fong, D. Y. T., Ho, J. W. C., Hui, B. P. H., Lee, A. M., Macfarlane, D. J., Leung, S. S. K., Cerin, E., Chan, W. Y. Y., Leung, I. P. F., Lam, S. H. S., Taylor, A. J., & Cheng, K.-K. (2012). Physical activity for cancer survivors: Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 344, e70. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e70
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  4. Ungvari, Z., Fekete, M., Varga, P., Munkácsy, G., Fekete, J. T., Lehoczki, A., Buda, A., Kiss, C., Ungvari, A., & Győrffy, B. (2025). Exercise and survival benefit in cancer patients: Evidence from a comprehensive meta-analysis. GeroScience, 47(3), 5235–5255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01647-0
  5. Rodríguez-Cañamero, S., Cobo-Cuenca, A. I., Carmona-Torres, J. M., Pozuelo-Carrascosa, D. P., Santacruz-Salas, E., Rabanales-Sotos, J. A., Cuesta-Mateos, T., & Laredo-Aguilera, J. A. (2022). Impact of physical exercise in advanced-stage cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Medicine, 11(19), 3714–3727. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.4746
  6. Albini, A., La Vecchia, C., Magnoni, F., Garrone, O., Morelli, D., Janssens, J. Ph., Maskens, A., Rennert, G., Galimberti, V., & Corso, G. (2025). Physical activity and exercise health benefits: Cancer prevention, interception, and survival. European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 34(1), 24–39. https://doi.org/10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000898
  7. Mustian, K. M., Lin, P.-J., Chakrabarti, A., Mattick, L. J., Samuel, S., Gada, U., Altman, B. J., Vertino, P. M., Kleckner, A. S., Kleckner, I. R., Guido, J. J., Li, C.-S., Peppone, L. J., Kamen, C. S., Loh, K. P., Rousey, S. R., Onitilo, A. A., Melnik, M., Mohile, S. G., & Janelsins, M. C. (2026). Effects of exercise on cognitive impairment in patients receiving chemotherapy: A multicenter phase III randomized controlled trial. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 24(3), 91–99. https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2025.7118
  8. Knols, R., Aaronson, N. K., Uebelhart, D., Fransen, J., & Aufdemkampe, G. (2005). Physical exercise in cancer patients during and after medical treatment: A systematic review of randomized and controlled clinical trials. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 23(16), 3830–3842. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2005.02.148
  9. Spence, R. R., Heesch, K. C., & Brown, W. J. (2010). Exercise and cancer rehabilitation: A systematic review. Cancer Treatment Reviews, 36(2), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2009.11.003
  10. Sprod, L. K., Mohile, S. G., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Janelsins, M. C., Peppone, L. J., Morrow, G. R., Lord, R., Gross, H., & Mustian, K. M. (2012). Exercise and cancer treatment symptoms in 408 newly diagnosed older cancer patients. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 3(2), 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2012.01.002
  11. Salerno, E. A., Culakova, E., Kleckner, A. S., Heckler, C. E., Lin, P.-J., Matthews, C. E., Conlin, A., Weiselberg, L., Mitchell, J., Mustian, K. M., & Janelsins, M. C. (2021). Physical activity patterns and relationships with cognitive function in patients with breast cancer before, during, and after chemotherapy in a prospective, nationwide study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 39(29), 3283–3292. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.20.03514