Tag Archives: exercise

The Benefits of Exercise After Getting Cancer

Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Diet, Habits, & Other Behaviors, General Treatment Issues, Prevention, Quality Of LIfe, Treatment & Management

Farmin Shahabuddin, MPH, Morgan Wharton and Annika Schmid, Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund

You may have heard that regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing cancer, but did you know it’s also good for cancer patients who are undergoing or have completed treatment?

Is Exercise Good for Everyone with Cancer?

Exercise has proven benefits for cancer patients, ranging from improved fitness and higher quality of life to reduced rates of recurrence and a longer life. What we know about exercise and cancer mostly comes from studying patients with breast or colon cancer, but there is now evidence that there are benefits of exercise for men and women suffering from almost all types of cancer, even cancer as advanced as Stage III. [1, 2]

The best news of all: It doesn’t matter if you were fit before you got diagnosed.[1, 3, 4] A 2026 study found the following finding: lung and rectal cancer survivors who were inactive before their diagnosis but became active enough to meet physical activity guidelines afterward were still 42% and 49% less likely to die from their cancer, respectively, compared to those who remained inactive both before and after diagnosis.[5] So, it’s never too late to start exercising to fight cancer. If you’re coping with cancer or its aftermath, now is the time.

How Does Exercise Help Cancer Patients?

Many studies have shown that exercise is beneficial to cancer patients, but no one is sure exactly why. Earlier studies suggested that exercise may help women avoid breast cancer or a recurrence of it by decreasing female hormones that feed cancer in the breast [6,7] or by lowering inflammation in the body [8] , a suspected contributor to many diseases.

Physical Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients

Studies have shown that in cancer patients, exercise during or after treatment reduces fat and improves body mass index (BMI). [9, 10] Exercise lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, and increases bone mineral density. [10, 11] Denser bones mean fewer fractures.

Not surprisingly, cancer patients who exercise regularly during and after treatment reported increases in strength, walking ability, aerobic capacity, and flexibility. [9, 10]

Cancer patients who had completed treatment reported fewer negative side effects from treatment once they began to exercise regularly.[2] Patients who exercised during treatment reported less nausea and less difficulty sleeping.[10] The most reported improvement was reduced fatigue. [4, 10, 11]

A study published in 2021 indicates that exercise may also help relieve “chemo brain” (also known as chemo fog), which is a common side effect for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.[12] Common symptoms of chemo brain are having trouble with learning new tasks, remembering names, paying attention, and concentrating. The study found that patients who did either 2.5–5 hours of moderate intensity exercise (like brisk walking) per week or who did 1.5–2.5 hours of high intensity exercise (such as running) per week in the week before starting chemotherapy, within 1 month of completing chemotherapy, and 6 months after completing chemotherapy were less likely to report “chemo brain” symptoms than patients who did not exercise. Chemo brain can be upsetting and debilitating, affecting more than 75% of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, for example.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

In addition to the physical health benefits of exercise, cancer patients who exercised also reported improved mental and emotional well-being.[9] Patients who exercised during treatment and those who began to exercise afterwards frequently reported an increase in quality of life, less anxiety, and a renewed “fighting spirit.”[10] Cancer patients over the age of 80 who exercised regularly during their weeks or months of treatment reported less loss of memory.[13]

Long-Term Survival and Reducing Cancer Recurrence

Because exercise improves the immune system, cancer patients who exercise regularly lower their risk of the cancer returning. [1, 9, 11, 14] Patients who exercise are less likely to die from cancer and are more likely to live longer than patients who don’t exercise.

A large 2026 study combining data from six major long-term research projects followed more than 17,000 cancer survivors for an average of nearly 11 years after diagnosis to examine the survival benefits of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The activities included brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, and the patients had been diagnosed with bladder, endometrial, lung, oral cavity, ovarian, or rectal cancer. Current guidelines suggest that people with a history of cancer should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week.[5]

The study found that even less than the standard recommended guidelines of physical activity seemed beneficial. For example, bladder cancer survivors who exercised were 33% less likely to die from their cancer, endometrial cancer survivors were 38% less likely, and lung cancer survivors were 44% less likely, compared to those who did no physical activity. Oral and rectal cancer survivors who doubled the amount of activity that was in the recommended guidelines were 61% less likely to die of oral cancer and 43% less likely to die of rectal cancer.[5]

A 2022 study found that cancer survivors who exercise and do not sit 8 or more hours a day live longer than less active cancer survivors.[15] The study followed over 1,500 cancer survivors ages 40 and over for an average of 4.5 years. The researchers found that those who exercised at least 150 minutes per week were less likely to die (of cancer or anything else) than people who did not report exercising. Survivors who reported sitting for more than 8 hours a day were also more likely to die than those who reported sitting less than 4 hours per day, and survivors who reported both a lack of exercise and sitting more than 8 hours per day were the most likely to die of all the survivors studied.

A 2020 study of 8,002 Black and white adults aged 45 and older in the U.S. examined whether sitting for long periods of time increases the chances of dying from cancer.[16] Each participant wore a hip-mounted device, like a fitness tracker, for 7 consecutive days to measure how much time they spent sitting versus being physically active. Over an average follow-up of about 5 years, 268 participants died of cancer. People who spent the most time sitting were more likely to die from cancer compared to those who sat the least. People who replaced just 30 minutes of sitting per day with moderate to vigorous physical activity had a 31% lower chance of cancer death. In fact, people who swapped that sitting time for light activity like standing or gentle walking were 8% less likely to die. This shows that the total amount of time spent sitting matters in addition to the time spent exercising, so cancer survivors should try to sit less and move more throughout the day.

What Kind of Exercise Should I Do?

Aerobic activity of light to moderate intensity was the most common type of exercise in the studies of cancer patients. [1, 9] Combining aerobic exercise with walking and resistance training (such as weightlifting or using resistance bands) led to greater health benefits than aerobic activity alone. [9, 11]

Walking can improve the health of cancer patients. Studies estimate that the greatest benefit from walking is seen in patients who walk at an average speed (a 20-minute mile) for 3–5 hours weekly.[2] Patients who walked just 1 hour per week, regardless of walking speed, showed improvements over the group of patients who reported no physical activity in a week.

To get the most out of exercise, you need to make it a habit—something you commit to for the long-term. That’s why it is better to start small, with easily achievable changes like using the stairs regularly instead of the elevator or walking each evening after dinner. Remember to set realistic goals, because it is better to start small and keep it up than to try to do too much and give up. Don’t miss the chance to get at least some benefit from this easy, free strategy to fight cancer.

The Bottom Line

Exercise helps individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment and those who have completed cancer treatment. Cancer patients who exercise regularly during and after treatment can expect fewer side effects from treatment, including less fatigue, fewer problems with concentration and memory, and better overall fitness and health. Patients who exercise are less likely to experience a return of cancer in the future and are more likely to live longer, healthier lives.

You should try to walk at least 3 to 5 hours a week at an average pace (about 1 mile per 20 minutes). Even minimum exercise, like walking one hour per week, can improve the health of cancer patients who have completed treatment, compared to cancer patients who do not exercise at all. The benefits from exercise can be seen in all cancer patients regardless of whether they exercised regularly before they were diagnosed with cancer. It’s never too late to begin to exercise and improve your health!

References

  1. Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, D.H., Donna Niedzwiecki, Donna Hollis, Leonard B. Satz, Robert J. Mayer, James Thomas, Heidi Nelson, Renaud Whittom, Alexander Hantel, Richard L. Schilsky, and Charles S. Fuchs, Impact of physical activity on cancer recurrence and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: Findings from CALGB 89803. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006. 24(22): p. 3635-3541.
  2. Michelle D. Holmes, W.Y.C., Diane Fesknich, Candyce H. Kroenke, Graham A. Colditz, Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2005. 293(20): p. 2479-2486.
  3. Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, E.L.G., Michelle D. Holmes, Andrew T. Chan, Jennifer A. Chan, Graham A. Colditz, and Charles S. Fuchs, Physical activity and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006. 24(22): p. 3527-3534.
  4. Margaret L. McNeely, K.L.C., Brian H. Rowe, Terry P. Klassen, John R. Mackey, Kerry S. Courneya, Effects of exercise on breast cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta analysis. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2006. 175(1): p. 34-41.
  5. Rees-Punia E, Teras LR, Newton CC, et al. Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer Survivors. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(2):e2556971. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.56971
  6. Key T, Appleby P, Barnes I, Reeves G. Endogenous sex hormones and breast cancer in postmenopausal women: reanalysis of nine prospective studies. J Natl Cancer Inst. Apr 17 2002;94(8):606-616.
  7. McTiernan A, Tworoger SS, Ulrich CM, et al. Effect of exercise on serum estrogens in postmenopausal women: a 12-month randomized clinical trial. Cancer Res. Apr 15 2004;64(8):2923-2928.
  8. Friedenreich CM, Neilson HK, Woolcott CG, et al. Inflammatory Marker Changes in a Yearlong Randomized Exercise Intervention Trial among Postmenopausal Women. Cancer Prevention Research. January 1, 2012 2012;5(1):98-108.
  9. Daniel Y T Fong, J.W.C.H., Bryant P H Hui, Antoinette M Lee, Duncan J Macfarlane, Sharron S K Leung, Ester Cerin, Wynnie Y Y Chan, Ivy P F Leung, Sharon H S Lam, Aliki J Taylor, Kar-keung Cheng, Physical activity for cancer survivors: Meta analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Medical Journal, 2012. 344(70).
  10. Ruud Knols, N.K.A., Daniel Uebelhart, Jaap Fransen, and Geert Aufdemkampe, Physical exercise in cancer patients during and after medical treatment: A systematic review of randomized and controlled clinical trials. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2005. 23(16): p. 3830-3842.
  11. Rosalind R. Spence, K.C.H., Wendy J. Brown, Exercise and cancer rehabilitation: A systematic review. Cancer Treatment Reviews, 2009. 36: p. 185-194.
  12. Elizabeth A. Salerno, Eva Culakova, Amber S. Kleckner, Charles E. Heckler, Po-Ju Lin, Charles E Matthews, Alison Conlin, Lora Weiselberg, Jerry Mitchell, Karen M. Mustian, Michelle C. Janelsins. 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. 2021. https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.20.03514.
  13. LK Sprod, S.M., W Demark-Wahnefried, MC Janelsins, LJ Peppone, GR Morrow, R Lord, H Gross, KM Mustian, Exercise and cancer treatment symptoms in 408 newly diagnosed older cancer patients. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 2012. 3(2): p. 90-97.
  14. Barbara Sternfeld, E.W., Charles P. Quesenberry, Jr., Adrienne L. Castillo, Marilyn Kwan, Martha L. Slattery, and Bette J. Caan, Physical activity and risk of recurrence and mortality in breast cancer survivors: Findings from the LACE study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2009. 18(1): p. 87-95.
  15. Cao, C, Friedenreich, CM and Yang L. Association of Daily Sitting Time and Leisure-Time Physical Activity With Survival Among US Cancer Survivors. JAMA Oncology, January 6, 2022 online, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2787951.
  16. Gilchrist SC, Howard VJ, Akinyemiju T, Judd SE, Cushman M, Hooker SP, Diaz KM. Association of Sedentary Behavior With Cancer Mortality in Middle-aged and Older US Adults. JAMA Oncology. 2020;6(8):1210–1217.