New research indicates that engaging in physical activity after a cancer diagnosis is linked to improved survival rates. A large pooled analysis combined data from six major prospective cohorts, including over 17,000 survivors of bladder, endometrial, kidney, lung, oral cavity, ovarian, or rectal cancers.
Even low levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after diagnosis were associated with significantly lower cancer mortality for survivors of bladder, endometrial, and lung cancers. Higher activity levels showed reduced mortality in oral and rectal cancer survivors. Notably, lung and rectal cancer survivors who were inactive before diagnosis but met physical activity guidelines afterward experienced substantially lower cancer mortality.
These findings underscore the potential survival benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors, regardless of their prior activity levels. Healthcare professionals are urged to promote exercise as a key component of survivorship care, suggesting it's never too late for patients to benefit from increased physical activity.