Cancer and its treatments produce a myriad of burdensome side effects and significantly impair quality of life (QOL). Exercise reduces side effects and improves QOL for cancer patients during treatment and recovery. Exercise prior to, during, and after completion of cancer treatments provides numerous beneficial outcomes. Exercise represents an effective therapeutic intervention for preparing patients to successfully complete treatments, for reducing acute, chronic and late side effects, and for improving QOL during and after treatments. This overview of exercise oncology and side-effect management summarizes existing evidence-based exercise guidelines for cancer patients and survivors.
Keywords: Aerobic Exercise; Bone Loss; Cancer; Cancer-Related Fatigue; Cardiotoxicity; Exercise; Mental Health; Muscle Loss; Physical Activity; Quality of Life; Resistance Exercise; Side Effects; Tai Chi; Yoga.