Exercise in cancer

It is well established that people diagnosed with cancer should participate in physical activity and exercise to improve health outcomes and decrease mortality and secondary diagnosis. Even though the evidence is clear, many people diagnosed with cancer are still not moving enough. When prescribing exercise for this population much needs to be taken into consideration. Exercise guidelines remain somewhat generalized and exercise prescribers need to take the individual needs of the person into consideration. In the first instance, the best practice is to refer clients diagnosed with cancer to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist/Clinical Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist experienced in cancer care for the delivery of targeted exercise. These professions are best placed to identify the needs of the individual and any safety implications for exercise that may be apparent. This chapter provides an overview of cancer and its implications for those diagnosed as well as the current exercise guidelines and clinical considerations. This chapter also contains a specific section on lung cancer to assist the reader in the identification and understanding of the needs of these complex clients. The Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) have provided position statements and guidelines on exercise for working with individuals with cancer-based on the evidence that we have so far. This important information has been referred to and explained throughout this chapter. It is however extremely important that exercise prescribers work with the individual, taking their very important personal needs, goals, and safety requirements into consideration.