Exercise is a powerful means of recovering physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Exercising as part of a rehabilitation program may include ways to improve your overall physical conditioning, such as general cardiovascular or strengthening programs, or may include specific exercises designed to combat specific impairments created by cancer treatment.
Overall, physical activity is a key component of cancer rehabilitation, yet only about 30% of cancer patients report meeting national exercise guidelines (1). Exercising and being physically active has been shown to (2):
- Decrease cancer-related fatigue
- Improve quality of life
- Prevent or reduce swelling (lymphedema)
- Reduce the risk of recurrence of certain cancers
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Decrease the burden of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
Individualized exercise programs may contain such elements as:
- Strengthening exercises to prevent or treat deconditioning from long periods of immobility
- Stretching exercises for tight muscles after surgery and radiation
- Massage for tight tissues such as a scar after surgery
- Decongestive exercises for lymphedema
- Cardiovascular exercise to improve overall health and combat fatigue
Resources for exercise as part of a cancer rehabilitation program
- Prevent and reduce stiffness caused by radiation treatment
- Life After Cancer Treatment (Canadian Cancer Society)
- Swallowing Exercises
Available online, in booklet format, or can be borrowed from the Princess Margaret Patient and Family Library
Find help with exercise for cancer rehabilitation
- Wellspring Cancer Exercise program
A free 30 week individualized program offered at most Wellspring locations – downtown Toronto, Sunnybrook (Westerkirk house), Oakville, Brampton, London, Niagara. Information specific to each location can be found on the individual location’s Wellspring page. - PrehabRx
PrehabRx provides specialized exercise programs designed for people living with cancer, tailored to individual diagnoses, treatment plans, and physical capabilities. Programs are delivered virtually, and most are free of charge. - Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship program
A team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, kinesiologists and massage therapist are available for one-on-one assessments and recommendations around exercise, fatigue, pain, or other concerns. University Health Network patients only. - EXCEL – Cancer Exercise programs
Free, 12-week exercise program offered both online and where available, in-person. Classes are group-based and are offered twice per week. Exercises are performed at a low-to-moderate intensity and are tailored to each individual, based on health conditions, medical limitations, and comfort levels. All participants are screened prior to participation. Measures are taken at baseline, post-program completion, and at two follow-ups at 6 mos and 1 year from the start. - Find a Program or Therapist
There are also many options such as yoga, tai chi, or qi gong offered at various community organizations.
(1) Hefferon, K., Murphy, H., McLeod, J., Mutrie, N., & Campbell, A. (2013). Understanding barriers to exercise implementation 5-year post-breast cancer diagnosis: A large-scale qualitative study. Health Education Research, 28(5), 843.
(2) Schmitz, K. H., Courneya, K. S., Matthews, C., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Galvão, D. A., Pinto, B. M., . . . American College of Sports Medicine. (2010). American college of sports medicine roundtable on exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42(7), 1409-1426. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181e0c112