Exercise in Oncology Patients: A Call for Strategies to Address the Critical Gap Between Evidence-Based Recommendations and Implementation

Physical activity has demonstrated positive impact on cancer outcomes, including survival and quality of life, in patients throughout the trajectory of cancer treatment. Government and leading health organizations have included exercise among cancer-prevention guidelines based on substantial evidence demonstrating clear benefits, including reductions in treatment-related side effects, higher chemotherapy completion rates, improved physical fitness and functionality, and increases in health-related quality of life. Despite clear consensus-based recommendations, a gap exists between what is known to benefit patients with cancer and the implementation of an intervention which has consistently demonstrated a positive impact on patient outcomes. It is critical to develop customized programming, reimbursement and thoughtful strategies that consider both patient and provider barriers to implementing exercise as part of cancer treatment.