What cancer patients can do to feel stronger (no, it is not medication)

The side effects of cancer treatments are often grueling. From inflammation to gut illnesses and hair loss, the detrimental effects of cancer treatment can be challenging. A study has now found that incorporating exercise in the routine can counter these detrimental effects and also boost wellbeing and quality of life.

A comprehensive review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that exercise can slash the side effects of cancer treatment, such as heart and nerve damage and brain fog.

The umbrella review analyzed data from 80 previously published pooled analyses of randomized controlled trials between 2012 and July 2024. The study reviewed 485 associations in total and evaluated the impact of exercise on health outcomes in people with cancer. The researchers found that exercise, regardless of type, intensity, or duration, could help counteract the physical and psychological toll of cancer treatments.

Exercise reduces various side effects associated with cancer and its treatment
The review examined various forms of exercise, including mind–body (138, 28.5%), such as Qigong, tai-chi, and yoga; aerobic and resistance exercise (48,10%), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (18,4%); and other types (281,59%). These associations were explored in people with cancers of the breast (244, 50%), digestive system (20,4%), blood (13, 3%), lung (47,10%), prostate (12, 2.5%) plus others (149, 31%).

“Incorporating mind–body exercises into the exercise guidelines for people with cancer may be a valuable consideration. Future high-quality research is needed to explore additional outcomes, clarify underlying mechanisms, and refine exercise prescriptions tailored to cancer type, treatment timing, exercise modality, and individual characteristics, ensuring more precise and clinically relevant interventions for diverse cancer populations,” the researchers said.

The researchers noted that exercise significantly reduced various side effects associated with cancer and its treatment compared with usual care or no exercise. For instance, it lessened heart and peripheral nerve damage associated with chemotherapy, brain fog (cognitive impairment), and shortness of breath (dyspnoea).


Exercise also changed body composition and key physiological indicators of health, such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor, and C-reactive protein in people with cancer. Physical activity was also linked with improved sleep quality, psychological wellbeing, the normal workings of the body, and social interaction, while boosting overall quality of life.

They also found that pre-operative exercise reduced the risk of postoperative complications, such as pain, length of hospital stay, and risk of death. The study further pointed out that cancer patients who exercise are also healthier compared to those who don’t. However, they pointed out that the side effects of treatment vary, depending on cancer type and how advanced the disease is.