Treatment for cancer can often be physically and mentally depleting often causing numerous short and long term side effects. Treatment may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy used to destroy malignant tumour cells, and these therapies often affect the function of normal cells. This can cause physical alterations to normal tissue and body function. Side effects such as decreased muscular strength and endurance, reduced muscle mass, debilitating fatigue and weakness and either weight loss or gain, are commonly experienced in cancer patients following treatment. Furthermore patients must deal with the psychological side effects that accompany these complaints such as loss of self esteem or confidence, problems with body image, loss of social networks, reduced ability to work and depression.

Exercise is emerging as an intervention used to lessen the physical and psychological burden of cancer treatment. Appropriately prescribed exercise has been proven to increase muscular strength and endurance, reduce feelings of fatigue and weakness, improve self confidence and enhance social and psychological wellbeing. Whilst exercise can help to lessen the physical and psychological complications associated with cancer if performed at the wrong intensity, duration and frequency exercise can have adverse effects.

Exercise Precautions

Before undertaking any exercise program it is recommended that patients discuss exercise capacity and requirements with their doctor or qualified exercise professional. Moreover it is important that the following guidelines are followed in order to enhance the benefits of any exercise program.

Please read these sections for more information on exercise:

• Further Considerations
• Developing an Exercise Program
• Managing Fatigue with Exercise
• Finding an Exercise Physiologist