Being physically active after treatment

Physical activity is usually safe after cancer treatment but it is important to get advice from a healthcare professional. There may be some types of activity you need to avoid or be careful with.

For some people, recovery may take some time after cancer treatment ends. Being physically active after treatment can be a positive step in your recovery.

It may help you:

• maintain your fitness, strength, and mental well-being
• manage ongoing side effects such as tiredness (fatigue)
• reduce your risk of late effects after treatment.

There is also some emerging evidence that being physically active at the recommended levels can reduce the risk of some cancers coming back. These include breast and bowel cancer. Research into physical activity is ongoing. More evidence is needed before we will know how much and what specific exercise is needed to reduce the risk of cancers coming back.

Late effects are side effects that may develop months or years after cancer treatment ends. Not everyone will get late effects. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can explain what effects your treatment may cause.

Being physically active may help to reduce your risk of some late effects. It can also help you manage some types of ongoing side effects.

Some treatments may slightly increase the risk of heart problems. These include radiotherapy that is given close to the heart and certain chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy drugs.

Aerobic activities can help protect your heart and improve your cardiovascular fitness level.

Cancer treatments that reduce the levels of the hormones oestrogen or testosterone can cause bone thinning and loss. These include:

• hormonal treatments for breast cancer or prostate cancer
• treatments that cause an early menopause.

Activities where you are supporting your own body weight will help keep bones strong. These are sometime called weight-bearing exercises. They include:

• walking
• dancing
• resistance training, such as lunges and squats.

You could also try impact activities, such as jumping and skipping. But impact activities are not recommended if you have any bone metastases.

If you have any bone problems, get advice on exercise from your healthcare team.

Fatigue is feeling very tired most or all of the time. It is not usually helped by rest or sleep. It is a common symptom of cancer and side effect of cancer treatment. For some people the more treatment they have the more tired they become.

Research shows that doing some physical activity during and after cancer treatment can help to reduce fatigue. This can be difficult if you feel so tired that you do not want to do any physical activity. But even going for a short walk can help with fatigue. Try to prioritise tasks. This means you can do more important tasks when you have the most energy.

Many people feel overwhelmed when they are told they have cancer. During and after treatment, you may have many different emotions. These include uncertainty, anxiety and depression.

Research has shown that being physically active during and after treatment can help improve your mood and confidence. Doing something positive for yourself can help with anxiety and low mood.

Gaining weight

Some people may gain weight because of cancer and its treatment. If treatment makes you feel tired, you may be less active than usual. Hormonal therapies and steroids can also cause weight gain.

Being active and eating healthily can help you manage your weight. Keeping to a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of:

• joint problems
• back problems
• developing a new (primary) cancer – excess body fat has been linked to some cancers such as bowel, breast and womb.

Losing weight

Some people lose a lot of weight due to cancer and its treatment. The amount of muscle you have may be reduced. Physical activity can help you gain weight by building muscle. Doing exercises to help build muscle before treatment starts can mean you have some in reserve if you lose weight.

You can try to increase your food intake if you are losing weight. This will help to keep your energy levels up. This may not be easy to do as side effects like nausea may mean you have a reduced appetite. You can ask to be referred to a dietician who can help you to try and maintain a healthy weight.

After cancer treatment, some people are more at risk of developing other health problems. Being physically active can help you manage or reduce your risk of:

• high blood pressure
• stroke
• high cholesterol
• type 2 diabetes
• kidney disease.