Cancer and Exercise: How Physical Activity Improves Cancer Survival Outcomes
Exercise and cancer recovery go hand in hand — and that’s become clearer than ever as new research comes out of Australia and around the world. Years ago, when having chemotherapy or radiation therapy, it was advised to rest and relax after treatment. In recent years we have moved firmly in the opposite direction, encouraging people to stay active before, during and after their treatment.
The Benefits of Exercise During Cancer Treatment
Exercise has many benefits throughout the cycle of a cancer diagnosis. It is a great tool for managing stress, reducing side effects from treatment, increasing energy levels, reducing pain and fatigue, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, preparing the body for surgery, supporting rehabilitation post-surgery and improving overall quality of life. For many patients, exercise and cancer recovery become closely linked from the moment of diagnosis right through to survivorship, with physical activity playing a role at every stage of the journey.
What the Latest Research Shows
In 2025, the results of the CHALLENGE trial, the first gold-standard randomised controlled trial (RCT) to show exercise directly improves survival in colon cancer patients, were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Colon cancer survivors who took part in a structured exercise program after surgery and chemotherapy had a 28% lower risk of their cancer recurring, developing a new cancer, or dying, and a 37% lower risk of death from any cause, compared with those who received health education materials about physical activity alone. Researchers noted the size of this survival benefit was comparable to that seen with many approved cancer drugs. Separately, a broader meta-analysis of cancer patients found that those who exercised had around a 26% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who didn’t. These findings add real weight to what many in the field have suspected for years, and have encouraged even more people to make exercise and cancer recovery a central part of their treatment plan.
How Much Exercise Is Recommended?
People diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to reach a similar level of exercise to those who do not have cancer. Current guidelines from bodies such as the World Health Organisation recommend building up to 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise) a week, plus 2 strength training sessions a week. Often the thought of this amount of exercise is overwhelming at the start. However, try starting at a slower pace and increasing it as you can. Even short walks, gentle stretching or a few minutes of resistance work can make a meaningful difference when you’re starting from a low baseline, and consistency matters more than intensity in the early stages.
Getting Started Safely
It is important to speak to your medical professional before starting any program to ensure it is the correct program for you, particularly if you are currently undergoing treatment or recovering from surgery. At Inner Strength Bayside, we run an oncology rehabilitation program which utilises a mixture of Clinical Pilates, hands-on physiotherapy and at-home exercises to help you achieve your goals. Our approach is tailored to where you are in your treatment journey, whether that’s preparing for surgery (prehabilitation), managing side effects during active treatment, or rebuilding strength and confidence in survivorship. This individualised approach to exercise and cancer recovery ensures the program adapts as your needs change, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan.
Exercise as Cancer Prevention
Not only is activity important once diagnosed with cancer, but an active lifestyle has been substantially linked with a decreased risk of colon, breast and endometrial cancer (see information here from the National Cancer Institute), with less substantial but positive results indicating the same for multiple other forms of cancer. While many people struggle to include exercise into their daily lives, often people don’t fully understand the health benefits associated. Exercise is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (inclusive and exclusive of cancer). We believe that if the benefits of exercise were turned into medication it would be the world’s most used medication.
Support Makes the Difference
Starting an exercise program during or after cancer treatment doesn’t need to be daunting. Working with a physiotherapist who understands oncology rehabilitation means your program can be adjusted around fatigue, treatment side effects, surgical precautions and how you’re feeling on any given day. This kind of guided support often makes the difference between people giving up and exercise and cancer recovery becoming a sustainable, ongoing part of their life.
Here at Inner Strength Bayside, our Physio Luci is experienced in Cancer/Oncology Rehabilitation. If you have any questions in regards to oncology rehabilitation, feel free to contact us on 8555 4099, or click here to book online.
References:
World Cancer Research Fund. New study shows benefits of physical activity for colon cancer survivors [Internet]. 30 June 2025. Available from: https://www.wcrf.org/about-us/news-and-blogs/new-study-shows-benefits-of-physical-activity-for-colon-cancer-survivors
Sardo A, et al. Physical activity guidelines in oncology: A systematic review of the current recommendations. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2025. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040842825001064
Barbalat G, et al. Lifestyle-Based Approaches to Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Diet, Physical Activity, and Integrative Strategies. MDPI. 2025;32(4):70. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1873-149X/32/4/70
Guillermou C, et al. Exercise and survival benefit in cancer patients: evidence from a comprehensive meta-analysis. PubMed Central. 2026. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12181474
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Active Survivorship Matters — ACSM Moving Through Cancer & ACS Recommendations [PDF]. 2025. Available from: https://www.fredhutch.org/content/dam/www/Events/moving-beyond-cancer-to-wellness/2025/pdf/active-survivorship.pdf
