Every Cancer Patient Should Be Prescribed Exercise

If exercise were a pill, it would be a medical breakthrough, says researcher

Most doctors and nurses agree exercise is beneficial but don’t routinely prescribe exercise as part of their patients’ cancer treatment plan. Photo courtesy of the Exercise Oncology Team at Australian Catholic University

Every four minutes, someone in Australia is diagnosed with cancer. Only 1 in 10 of those diagnosed will exercise enough during and after their treatment. But every one of those patients would benefit from exercise.

I’m part of Australia’s peak body representing health professionals who treat people with cancer, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. Today, we’re joining 25 other cancer organizations to call for exercise to be prescribed to all cancer patients, as part of routine cancer care.