A large review spanning 8,500 participants across 123 studies and 21 clinical trials finds that combining aerobic exercise with strength training after cancer treatment lowers the risk of recurrence and improves survival.

Exercisers show a 23% lower risk of mortality and a 17% lower chance of cancer recurrence before death versus non-exercisers, with stronger benefits for those who completed at least 70% of the program.

Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study suggests structured exercise can be an effective add-on therapy in cancer care, potentially enhancing survival and reducing recurrence beyond symptom management.

Common aerobic activities include running, cycling, swimming, and dancing, while strength training spans weights, squats, lunges, pushups, situps, and pullups.

Breast cancer was the most studied, followed by bowel and pancreatic cancers, with recommendations to tailor exercise to each patient’s safety and capability in consultation with a doctor.

The research emphasizes that even moderate activities, such as walking or gentle movement, can be beneficial and stresses individualized tailoring due to diverse cancer journeys and barriers to activity.

The combination of aerobic and resistance training yielded positive outcomes, whereas resistance training alone showed no significant effect, indicating different biological responses to exercise types.

Possible mechanisms include improved immune response, better tumour perfusion, reduced circulating sex hormones, increased glucose uptake by muscles, and enhanced DNA repair, all potentially helping to limit progression or recurrence.

The analysis pooled data from 21 trials across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, including over 8,400 participants aged 47 to 64 with breast, bowel, and pancreatic cancers as the most common diagnoses.

Cancer charities emphasize that exercise offers broad health benefits for people with cancer and should be accessible as part of care, with healthcare guidance to determine safe activities.

The review advocates making exercise a core part of ongoing cancer treatment and aftercare, ensuring patients have access to physical activity support where appropriate.