Exercise & cancer treatment | Fitness & exercise benefits

Being physically fit and exercising has many benefits for people with cancer, both during treatment as well as recovery.

Being physically active during treatment can help reduce side-effects such as; anxiety, depression, tiredness, nausea and poor appetite.

During recovery, exercise also offers a range of health benefits including improved cardiovascular health, as well as reducing the risk for development of type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis as well as offering a protective effect of cancer recurrence.

Exercise recommendations during and after cancer treatment

According to the Cancer Society NZ, keeping active before, during and after cancer treatment is important for supporting your physical condition, helping manage treatment side effects, boosting energy levels and aiding recovery.

NZ organisations advise aiming for a mix of aerobic activity and resistance‑based exercise, as tolerated:

Aim for 20 to 30 minutes of moderate activity daily, such as brisk walking or yoga, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, such as jogging, cycling or gym classes.
Include two to three sessions of strength or resistance training each week, targeting major muscle groups using weights, resistance bands or body‑weight exercises.
Gentle activities like walking, swimming, stretching, Tai Chi or yoga are also suitable options depending on your energy levels.

It is important that you speak to a specialist, such as an accredited physiotherapist or physiologist so that your exercise program can be tailored to your current level of fitness, whilst accommodating for your type of cancer treatment and prognosis.

Benefits of exercising during cancer treatment

Your exercise program and goals during your cancer treatment will be based on a number of things including your type of cancer, treatment and potential side-effects, as well as your current fitness level. Engaging in an exercise and fitness program that is tailored to your individual needs will provide many benefits including;

Management of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms associated with cancer and treatment.
Improves muscle strength
Reduces tiredness and fatigue
May promote hunger if you are experiencing poor appetite or nausea
Reduces the risk of thrombosis (blood clots) in your legs by improving blood flow
Increases your feelings of self-worth and improves quality of life
Flexibility exercises improve range of motion, which can be reduced with some cancer treatments.
Starting an exercise program early on in treatment can reduce the risk of developing, or reduce the effects of lymphoedema (swelling in parts of the body due to damage to the lymphatic system from some cancer treatments).

When recovering from cancer, side-effects from treatment typically ease after a few weeks of treatment finishing, although it can take longer for some people. Over time, you should be able to gently increase your exercise and intensity to obtain maximum benefits including:

Weight maintenance and muscle strength
Increased cardiovascular health
Improved emotional wellbeing
Increased social interaction and connect
Increased energy levels
Offers a protective effect over cancer recurring

Frequently asked questions

Some important questions that you should ask your doctor or specialist before starting exercise include:
- Can I do any type of exercise, or are there some exercises I should avoid?
- Are there any precautions you should take, if you have equipment relating to treatment attached to you (i.e. pumps for chemotherapy)?
- Can you recommend a healthcare professional who specializes in exercise programs for people with cancer?
- Am I able to be physically active whilst undergoing treatment?
- Can I start exercising now, or do I need to have a tests/checkup first?
You should always listen to your body and discuss any concerns or treatment side-effects with your doctor before starting or continuing on an exercise program. It is common for your symptoms and general health to fluctuate during the treatment and recovery phase.
Some things to be mindful of when exercising include:
- Certain treatments and cancer types can reduce your immunity (the ability to fight infection). Avoiding shared spaces such as gym equipment, swimming pools and fitness classes may be needed during periods of very low immunity.
- Anaemia (low iron levels) is a common side-effect in cancer treatment, which can leave you feeling very tired. It is best to talk with your doctor about your iron levels before exercising.
- Symptoms of poor coordination and balance is common during treatment, so avoiding exercises that require these skills is important (such as cycling, running or lifting weights) so as to avoid injury.
- Reduced bone strength can occur in some hormone-based treatments (for prostate and breast cancers), therefore avoiding high impact exercises and sports (such as running or jumping) is important to avoid broken or fractured bones.
- Treatments such as radiation therapy can result in skin redness and soreness, therefore it is important to wear loose, comfortable clothing when exercising so as to avoid further irritation. Avoiding pools which are chlorinated is also recommended when skin is irritated.

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References

- Cancer Society of New Zealand. (2022). Keeping active with cancer. Retrieved on 11 March 2026 from https://www.cancer.org.nz/cancer/living-with-cancer/being-active/
- Cancer Council Victoria. (n.d). Exercise Overview. Retrieved on 4th April 2019 from https://www.cancervic.org.au/living-with-cancer/exercise/exercise-overview
- Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. (2018). COSA position statement on exercise in cancer care. (2020). Retrieved on 10 May 2021 from https://www.cosa.org.au/media/332757/cosa-position-statement-v3-dec2020-web-final.pdf
- American Cancer Society. (2014). Physical activity and the cancer patient. Retrieved on 4th April 2019 from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorship-during-and-after-treatment/staying-active/physical-activity-and-the-cancer-patient.html
- Cancer Council Victoria. (n.d). Flexibility Exercises. Retrieved on 4th April 2019 from https://www.cancervic.org.au/living-with-cancer/exercise/flexibility-exercises
- National Cancer Institute. (2017). Physical activity and cancer. Retrieved on 4th April 2019 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet

Disclaimer

Content found on the Bowen Icon Cancer Centre website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. For personalised medical guidance, please consult with your GP or another qualified healthcare provider.