Exercise and Cancer

Historically people with cancer are told to rest, however there is now ample evidence to support the use of light aerobic exercise alongside rest to help manage fatigue in cancer patients.

The Cochrane study identified 56 randomized controlled trials including 4,086 participants that investigated the effects of exercise on cancerrelated fatigue in adults. All studies were in patients with solid tumours, with the majority of studies conducted in people with breast cancer. The age of participants ranged from 39–79 years.

Exercise was shown to be statistically more effective at reducing fatigue than controlled interventions. Interesting to note, that aerobic exercise, such as walking and cycling, significantly reduced fatigue but resistance training and alternative forms of exercise (yoga, tai chi) did not achieve significant outcomes.