Being physically active is part of a healthy lifestyle, it may help to reduce your risk of some late effects after cancer treatment. It can also help you manage some types of ongoing side effects as well as reduce the risks of other illnesses including high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

Physical activity after for people living with and beyond cancer is also good for managing fatigue, making everyday activities easier, improved mood, stronger bones and better sleep.

Heart health

Some treatments may slightly increase the risk of heart problems. These include radiotherapy that is given close to the heart and certain chemotherapy and targeted therapy or immunotherapy drugs. 

Aerobic activities can help protect your heart and improve your cardiovascular fitness level.

Bone health

Cancer treatments that reduce the levels of the hormones oestrogen or testosterone can cause bone thinning and loss.

These include:

• Hormonal treatments for breast cancer 
• Treatments that cause an early menopause.

Activities where you are supporting your own body weight will help keep bones strong - These are sometime called weight-bearing exercises.

They include:

• Walking
• Dancing
• Resistance training, such as lunges and squats.

Anxiety and low mood

• Many people experience a change to their mental health following cancer treatment. These include uncertainty, anxiety and depression.
• Research has shown that being physically active after treatment can help improve your mood and confidence. Doing something positive for yourself can help with anxiety and low mood.

For more information about how much movement is advised after cancer treatment, if exercise is safe, and for resources and videos for you to follow, please see the link below:

• Movement Hub - Move Against Cancer

If meeting others impacted by cancer is something important to you, combined with moving more, why not walk, jog, run, cheer, volunteer or join for a coffee at your local 5KYW group, please follow the link below:

• 5K Your Way - Move Against Cancer

For free access to the WithU app, that builds personalised plans around your goals and lifestyle, follow the below link

• https://app.withutraining.com/e/MOVE

To read more about the effects of Exercise on Health-Related Outcomes in Those with Cancer, follow the link below

• exercise-guidelines-cancer-infographic.pdf

To read Moving Through Cancers booklet and all things exercise, please see the below link:

• MTC-brochure-DIGITAL-update.pdf

For information on fatigue and how to manage it, please follow the link below

• Coping with Fatigue (tiredness)