Effect of exercise on prevention and treatment of cancer patients

Introduction: Physical activity may play an important role in the rehabilitationof cancer survivors during and following treatment (1). Physical activityinterventions were shown to be safe for cancer survivors and produceimprovements in fitness, strength, and quality of life. (2)Object: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the literaturesupporting the use of exercise as an effective intervention for improving cancerrelatedside effects.Methods: The PubMed database was searched for terms of physical activity,cancer treatment and cancer side effect.Results: Current research suggests numerous beneficial outcomes in cancersurvivors undergoing exercise interventions during or following cancertreatment. Exercise not only plays a role in managing side effects but alsoimproves functional capacity and quality of life. Recent reviews show theevidence demonstrating outcomes from exercise interventions in cancersurvivors during and after treatment. The main outcomes examined includedCRF, depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, nausea, cardiopulmonary function,muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10).Exercise is promising therapies which may help alleviate many of the sideeffects include impaired immune function, neuroendocrine dysfunction, andneurotoxicity. (1)