Moving forward: Strategies for general practitioners to encourage physical activity in people living with and beyond cancer

David Mizrahi, Anna C Singleton, Elysia Thornton-Benko, Carolyn Ee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Physical activity (PA; ie any movement produced by skeletal muscles requiring energy expenditure)1 and exercise (ie planned, structured and repetitive PA for the purpose of improving health and maintaining fitness)1 have numerous benefits for people diagnosed with cancer. Those affected by cancer who engage in PA have been shown to have improved sleep quality, muscle mass and cardiorespiratory fitness, and a reduced risk of cancer recurrence and mortality.2 PA accumulated in both supervised and home-based settings has been shown to mitigate cancer-related fatigue, one of the most common debilitating symptoms in patients during and after treatment.3,4 Participating in PA can provide psychological benefits by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is a significant benefit for those facing the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis.5 PA is even safe and effective for patients facing challenging clinical trajectories, including improving postoperative functional capacity and reducing hospital complication rates in those presurgery (‘prehabilitation’),6 and improves quality of life, fatigue, fitness and strength in patients living with advanced or palliative cancers.7 However, with 67% of cancer survivors not meeting PA guidelines,8 it is important and timely that the 151,000 Australians diagnosed with cancer annually are supported to increase their PA.9
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)189-192
Number of pages4
JournalAustralian Journal of General Practice
Volume53
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • GPs
  • Exercise
  • Cancer patients and survivors

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