Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention and Survival: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This paper is being published as an official pronouncement of the American College of Sports Medicine. This pronouncement was reviewed for the American College of Sports Medicine by members-at-large and the Pronouncements Committee. Disclaimer: Care has been taken to confirm the accuracy of the information present and to describe generally accepted practices. However, the authors, editors, and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information in this publication and make no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the currency, completeness, or accuracy of the contents of the publication. Application of this information in a particular situation remains the professional responsibility of the practitioner; the clinical treatments described and recommended may not be considered absolute and universal recommendations.

Postdiagnosis sedentary behavior and health outcomes in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…[5][6][7][8] For instance, in persons who are cancer-free at baseline, increased sedentary time has been associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), 9 metabolic disorders, 9 several types of cancer, 10 and higher all-cancer as well as all-cause mortality, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, including MVPA. 4,14 Given the above findings and the established links between other postdiagnosis lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity or diet, with health outcomes in cancer survivors, 15,16 it is reasonable to expect that high levels of sedentary behavior after diagnosis, in turn, will lead to more negative health outcomes within these populations. 4,14 Given the above findings and the established links between other postdiagnosis lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity or diet, with health outcomes in cancer survivors, 15,16 it is reasonable to expect that high levels of sedentary behavior after diagnosis, in turn, will lead to more negative health outcomes within these populations.…”

“…11 Sedentary behavior in cancer survivors appears to be high, with accelerometer-based assessment indicating that, on average, cancer survivors spend between 8.2 and 10.8 hours per day sedentary, 12,13 which is higher than the general US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey population aged ≥60 years. 4,14 Given the above findings and the established links between other postdiagnosis lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity or diet, with health outcomes in cancer survivors, 15,16 it is reasonable to expect that high levels of sedentary behavior after diagnosis, in turn, will lead to more negative health outcomes within these populations.…”

Identification of Research Priorities in Exercise Oncology: A Consensus Study

“…There is limited evidence of the mode, frequency, intensity, or duration of physical activity required for primary prevention or for post-diagnosis outcomes although considerable progress has been made. Three comprehensive reviews of the epidemiological research (2,3,33) suggested that a dose-response relationship was evident for a few cancer sites, but that it is not yet possible to precisely specify the physical activity variables associated with risk reduction. Similarly, an international consensus statement based on an evidence review of cancer survivorship outcomes (6) was able to include exercise prescription guidance for some outcomes (physical function, fatigue, quality of life, mental health).…”

“…For research on patient outcomes, experimental studies of structured exercise interventions are used. Studies of physical inactivity as a risk factor have been accruing since 1962 (1) resulting in moderate to strong evidence for several common cancers (2,3). Meanwhile, trials of exercise as an intervention for managing treatment side-effects emerged in the 1980s (4,5).…”

Preliminary Results of an Exercise Program After Laparoscopic Resective Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Non-Metastatic Adenocarcinoma: A Pilot Study of a Randomized Control Trial

“…Physical activity after a diagnosis is associated with both lower risk of death from all-causes mortality and colorectal cancer-specific mortality in colorectal cancer survivors [7]. In fact, those who are engaged in physical activity in their leisure time have a risk of death that is 31% lower than that of those who do not, regardless of their physical activity in their leisure time before diagnosis [8].…”