Exercise for Cancer Therapy

Abstract: The number of new cancer cases in China is increasing rapidly, and China now ranks first in the world for the number of cancer patients. Traditional oncology treatment is based on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but all three treatments are often accompanied by a poor quality of life, impaired physical function, and significant anxiety and depression. Exercise therapy can provide both prognostic improvement and a better quality of life for cancer patients, and can be adapted to serve patients at all stages from perioperative recovery to hospice. Although the impact of exercise alone is difficult to assess given the influence of lifestyle and other factors, data suggest that consistent exercise can improve the prognosis of cancer patients. Exercise enhances cardiopulmonary function, induces protein synthesis, improves physiological performance and increases physiological reserves; it also helps to improve the metabolic and immune functions, creating an anti-cancer environment in the body. An appropriate exercise plan can reduce adverse effects associated with cancer treatment, improve patients’ physiological function, reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. Of note, exercise may also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis. In recent years, exercise oncology has received increasing attention, thus, this article reviews the progress made in the clinical application of exercise therapy in oncology patients.