Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any type of physical activity.

Physical activity has many benefits:

• Keep or improve your physical abilities
• Improve balance, lower risk of falls
• Lower risk of heart disease
• Lessen risk of osteoporosis (weak bones that are more likely to break)
• Improve blood flow to your legs and lower risk of blood clots
• Makes you less dependent on others for help with normal daily activities
• Lower risk of anxiety and depression
• Lessen nausea
• Improve your social relationships
• Lessen symptoms of fatigue
• Helps control weight
• Might help you sleep better
• Help you get to and maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce treatment side effects
• Improve the quality of your life

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that cancer survivors take these actions:

• Take part in regular physical activity
• Avoid inactivity
• Start slowly and build up the amount of physical activity over time
• Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week
• Include strength training exercises (using weight or resistance) at least 2 days per week
• Do stretching exercises at least 2 days each week

Sources:

American Cancer Society, 2022. Physical Activity and the Person with Cancer.

American Cancer Society, 2020. American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity.