Exercise & Cancer

American Cancer Society: Physical Activity and Person with Cancer

Physical Activity and the Person with Cancer | American Cancer Society 

Physical Activity & Cancer (NCI)

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet

The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Mortality, Recurrence, and Treatment-Related Adverse Effects (Prue Cormie, Eva M Zopf, Xiaochen Zhang, Kathryn H Schmitz, The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Mortality, Recurrence, and Treatment-Related Adverse Effects, Epidemiologic Reviews, Volume 39, Issue 1, January 2017, Pages 71–92, https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxx007)

https://academic.oup.com/epirev/article/39/1/71/3760392

Healing Works Foundation: Pocket Guide to Movement & Cancer

Movement and Cancer Pocket Guide - Dr. Wayne Jonas (healingworksfoundation.org)  

Stronger Thru Cancer is a year round, membership based online fitness and support community for those with cancer. Whether your diagnosis is recent, a lifelong battle, or you are in remission, our classes are designed with you in mind. All our strength, resistance, and yoga classes are created and instructed by a Cancer Fitness Instructor and Cancer Exercise Specialist in order to ensure that the exercises are targeted for your needs as a person with cancer. Live classes are available weekly, but members also have access to our video library of 300+ exercise and meditation videos. Membership $50/month as of early 2024. 

https://strongerthrucancer.com/

Effects of exercise therapy in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment: a narrative review (SAGE open medicine vol. 8, 2020) "Benefits related to exercise training have been shown in breast, prostate, rectal, lung, head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Therefore, exercise should be considered as a concurrent treatment alongside radiotherapy to alleviate treatment-related side effects and facilitate effective recovery."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7301662/

Physical Activity May Lessen the Effects of Chemo Brain (NCI) 

Physical Activity May Lessen the Effects of Chemo Brain - NCI (cancer.gov) 

Cancer-Related Fatigue and Exercise brochure (City of Hope)

20000-NEW-7960_Cancer_related_fatigue_Brochure_FINAL_April_2017.pdf (mycarg.org) 

Maple Tree Cancer Alliance Maple Tree is the leading provider of exercise oncology in the world. We partner with hospitals, fitness centers, and universities across the globe to improve the quality of lives for individuals battling cancer. We accomplish this through our evidence-based, individualized exercise programs. With Maple Tree on your team, we will help improve treatment outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Our desire is to help all those battling cancer not just to survive…but to THRIVE! We create custom exercise programs for patients from the time of diagnosis through survivorship. Maple Tree On-Demand is a comprehensive cancer exercise video library—a dedicated resource designed to empower cancer patients with safe and accessible exercise routines, organized according to cancer type and side effect. We understand that each cancer journey is unique, and our library of more than 250 exercise videos offers a vast collection of exercise tailored to help you maximize your health and well-being on your cancer journey. Best of all, these exercise videos can be completed in the comfort of your own home, without the need of exercise equipment! Subscription starts at $15 per month. 

https://www.mapletreecanceralliance.org/ 

Cancer, Exercise & Nutrition (Triage Cancer) Offering free nutrition and exercise webinars, recorded past webinars, and resources. 

https://triagecancer.org/cancer-excercise-nutrition

Exercise Through Cancer Care TEDx Talk by Karen Wonders (Founder & CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRa55rXYiUk

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts Our mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental wellness and lead to life-affirming changes. We offer programs for the community and specialize in serving people with cancer and utilizing the arts in healing. Cancer Programs: We offer empowering retreats and programs for adults living with cancer and their caregivers including yoga and stress reduction, creative expression, nutrition classes, as well as lectures and support programs.

https://smithcenter.org/

Association between physical activity and the time course of cancer recurrence in stage III colon cancer (Br J Sports Med. 2023)

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/15/965.long 

The Many Health Benefits of Exercising on a Trampoline (Cleveland Clinic)

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/trampoline-workout-benefits

Why You Should Try Rebounding and How to Get Started (Healthline)

https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/rebounding#getting-started

Exercise During Cancer Treatment (Cancer.net/ASCO)

https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/healthy-living/exercise-during-cancer-treatment

Exercise as a Promising Agent against Cancer: Evaluating Its Anti-Cancer Molecular Mechanisms. (Spanoudaki, Maria et al. Cancers vol. 15,21 5135. 25 Oct. 2023, doi:10.3390/cancers15215135) The mechanisms by which exercise may reduce cancer risk and/or progression may include the metabolic profile of hormones, systemic inflammation reduction, insulin sensitivity increase, antioxidant capacity augmentation, the boost to the immune system, and the direct effect on the tumor. There is currently substantial evidence that the effect of exercise may predict a stronger association with cancer and could supplementarily be embedded in cancer clinical practice to improve disease progression and prognosis. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10648074/

Does Exercise Improve Survival After a Cancer Diagnosis? An Encouraging New Study (MSKCC) The team found that people diagnosed with cancer who regularly exercise reduced their risk of dying from all causes by 25% compared with people with cancer who did not exercise. The median survival time was increased around five years in exercisers compared with non-exercisers.

https://www.mskcc.org/news/does-exercise-improve-survival-after-cancer-diagnosis-encouraging-new-study

ASCO Exercise, Diet, and Weight Management Guideline Oncology providers should recommend regular aerobic and resistance exercise during active treatment with curative intent and may recommend preoperative exercise for patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer. 

https://society.asco.org/practice-patients/guidelines/supportive-care-and-treatment-related-issues#/169005

Exercise During Cancer Treatment: 4 Things to Know (MD Anderson)

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/exercise-during-cancer-treatment--4-things-to-know.h00-159543690.html

Prescribing Exercise as Cancer Treatment: A Conversation with Dr. Kathryn Schmitz (NCI) In the past, clinicians typically advised their cancer patients to rest and avoid physical activity. However, what we learned from early exercise research in the 1990s and 2000s contradicted that advice. In fact, the field of exercise oncology—exercise and cancer—has grown exponentially in the past decade. There are more than 1,000 randomized controlled trials in this field. Multiple large epidemiologic and preclinical studies have also been completed, all of which have expanded our knowledge.  We now have the evidence to tell us, with great confidence, that those living with and beyond cancer will benefit from being more physically active.  

https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2019/cancer-survivors-exercise-guidelines-schmitz

How Exercise Can Help Treat and Prevent Cancer (MSKCC, 2024) In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes welcomes MSK exercise scientist Dr. Lee Jones back to the show to discuss the most recent findings about the effects of exercise on cancer prevention, treatment and recovery. Dr. Jones provides advice for patients to stay physically fit and battle fatigue, as well as the most effective training regimen for anybody, with or without cancer.

https://www.mskcc.org/videos/how-exercise-can-help-treat-and-prevent

Exercise is Medicine (EIM) In 2007, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) co-launched Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) – a United States-based health initiative that has since been coordinated by ACSM. The vision of EIM is to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care, connecting health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere of all abilities. The scientifically proven benefits of physical activity remain indisputable, and they can be as powerful as any pharmaceutical agent in preventing and treating a range of chronic diseases and medical conditions.

https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/

Moving Through Cancer The mission of Moving Through Cancer is to assure that all people living with and beyond cancer are assessed, advised, referred to and engaged in appropriate exercise and rehabilitation programming as a standard of care. 

https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim-in-action/moving-through-cancer/

Moving Through Cancer Exercise Program Directory (Exercise is Medicine) The Moving Through Cancer program was developed to help patients, families, health care providers and others find hospital and community-based exercise programs in their communities. Being active throughout the cancer journey and beyond can improve one's ability to handle and stick with cancer treatments, help the patient feel better and may even prevent cancer recurrence. Please enter your search information to discover what programs are available in a specific area. The programs are divided into those that are delivered in a medical setting, in a community-based facility, or can be done at home. Contact information is provided so that you can reach out to a program coordinator to learn more.

https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim-in-action/moving-through-cancer/exercise-program-registry/

Exercise During and After Cancer Treatment: Level 1 (MSKCC) This information explains how you can get enough exercise during and after your cancer treatment. This resource is for people who do not exercise at this time.

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/exercise-during-after-cancer-treatment-level-1

2 Unstoppable Improving Cancer Outcomes Through Exercise 2Unstoppable inspires and supports physical and emotional fitness among women with a cancer diagnosis, helps forge powerful, motivating and supportive connections to encourage exercise during cancer treatment and long after treatment ends, and promotes a supportive community of women interested in finding ways to stay active.

https://2unstoppable.org/

Strength & Courage Developed by breast cancer survivors and medical experts, the Strength & Courage: Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors program strives to enhance your ability to lead an active life following breast cancer surgery. An integral part of any breast cancer rehabilitation program, Strength & Courage guides you through a stretching and weight training regimen that can be started shortly after surgery. It also includes guidelines for aerobic exercise, which has been proven to reduce breast cancer recurrence.

https://www.strengthandcourage.net/

Cancer and Exercise: Resources and Research (American College of Sports Medicine)

https://www.acsm.org/education-resources/trending-topics-resources/cancer

Cancer Wellness for Life We are driven by a singular mission: to use exercise and lifestyle medicine to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer through collaboration with clinical cancer care teams, organizations, and individuals.

https://www.cancerwellnessforlife.com/

Livestrong & YMCA 12-Week Exercise Program for Cancer Survivors Survivors participate in free or low-cost customized exercise regimens catered to their individual needs from certified fitness instructors. The instructors are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. Survivors and often their families receive a membership at the YMCA for the duration of the program. The program is offered for free or low-cost at the discretion of each YMCA location.

https://www.livestrong.org/what-we-do/program/livestrong-at-the-ymca

Silver Sneakers (Medicare-sponsored exercise program-online and in-person)

https://tools.silversneakers.com/ 

Hope Connections for Cancer Support Our free, professionally led programs for people with cancer and their loved ones deal with the emotional and physical impact of cancer. We help you attend to your emotional well-being, so you can deal more effectively with your disease. We have so many activities to relieve isolation and stress as well as providing you with the information you need! Most importantly, we are a community that can connect you with others going through experiences like yours. Offering free virtual and in-person Mind-Body Programs including yoga, Pilates, tai chi, strength & balance, mind-body boxing, mindfulness, reiki, expressive art, hypnosis, meditation, relaxation, etc.

https://hopeconnectionsforcancer.org/

Lending Hearts Our mission is to provide emotional, social and physical support to those living with cancer, with a special focus on the needs of children and young adults as well as their families and caregivers. Through personal connection and a holistic approach to well-being, we help our Lending Hearts family move forward with resilience and positivity through treatment and remission. All services are free and do not require insurance. Offering yoga, mindfulness, relaxation, nutrition, and more. 

https://www.lendinghearts.org/

Moving For Life DanceExercise for Cancer Recovery Our Mission: Enhancing the lives of people affected by cancer and older adults through accessible movement and wellness programs. Moving for Life’s DanceExercise for Cancer Recovery classes identify and address all of the primary side effects of cancer treatments: fatigue, joint pain, lymphedema, neuropathy, chemo brain, compromised range of motion, dizziness/nausea, neuropathy/balance issues, osteopenia, loss of strength and depression. These classes use a unique somatic approach to movement to carefully stimulate or relax the physiological systems impacted. 

https://www.movingforlife.org/

The Anticancer Lifestyle Program (ACLP) offers free tools, tips, and information to help you improve your diet, increase your fitness, decrease your stress, and reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals in your home environment. Our doctor-recommended resources will teach you about lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of cancer, cancer recurrence, and chronic illness. Whether you have had a cancer diagnosis, or simply seek to take charge of your health, we invite you to learn your way with our online course, eBooks, webinars, blogs, recipes, and so much more!

https://anticancerlifestyle.org/

CancerFIT (Columbia University)The 45-minute classes are open to all who have been diagnosed with cancer regardless of treatment status, and are appropriate for all fitness levels. Each class is specifically tailored towards participants’ fitness levels and needs. Physical therapists oversee the classes, which are led by doctoral students in Columbia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Currently, CancerFIT classes are being held virtually via Zoom, with more dates to come.

https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/cancer-types-care/care/patient-and-caregiver-support/cancerfit

Yoga Bear Yoga Bear is dedicated to providing cancer patients and survivors with more options for wellness and healing. We are harnessing a community of friends — cancer patients, survivors, yoga experts, doctors, and volunteers– starting in the San Francisco Bay area. The practice of yoga may be effective in helping people regain a vital sense of energy, physical fitness, and peace- yet those who could benefit the most may not have the access. By partnering with yoga studios all over the Bay Area, Yoga Bear will match cancer patients and survivors with yoga classes in the community free of charge. Our collective of yoga studios will provide participants with a comfortable place and healthy activity beyond the invasive treatments that may take place within the confines of a hospital.

https://www.yogabear.org/

Exercise Videos for Cancer Patients (Mass General Cancer Center) The Lifestyle Medicine Program at the Mass General Cancer Center recommends an exercise program for cancer patients and survivors, based on baseline fitness, personal goals, and cancer therapy to minimize side effects, prevent loss of function, and improve long-term outcomes. Enjoy each exercise video by itself or as part of a fitness program. These videos are designed for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.

https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/patient-and-family-resources/supportive-care/lifestyle-medicine/exercise-videos-for-cancer-patients

Virtual Fitness Classes for Cancer Survivors (Community Health Network) We are committed to keeping you healthy and safe, and we are excited to deliver these programs to you from the comfort of your own home.

https://www.ecommunity.com/services/cancer-care/cancer-survivorship-program/virtual-fitness-classes