Moving Through Cancer

A new international initiative called Moving Through Cancer, led by Kathryn Schmitz, professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, outlines new exercise recommendations for people living with and beyond cancer.

Kathryn Schmitz worked with an international team of health practitioners, experts and leading cancer organisations on the recommendations, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The report notes the importance of exercise for cancer prevention, lowering the risk of developing cancer, particularly colon, breast, endometrial, kidney, bladder, oesophagus and stomach cancer. The report also states that exercise during and after cancer treatment can help to improve fatigue, anxiety, depression, physical function and overall quality of life for individuals. The experts also believe that exercise may help to improve survival rates in some individuals. The international experts recommend that individuals with cancer be prescribed exercise along with medical treatments.

The new Moving through Cancer recommendations (depending on the individuals abilities) are 30 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise 3 times a week and 20-30 minutes of resistance training twice a week.