Oral Presentation Cancer Survivorship 2019

Something for the body – Beyond the gym: Tailoring the exercise prescription to people who don’t wear lycra (#16)

Jane Turner 1
  1. Concord Cancer Centre, Concord

Exercise for people with cancer is no longer a foreign and alternative concept. Recent research developments have resulted in the release of a position statement outlining the role of exercise as an adjunct therapy for the management of cancer which have been endorsed by the peak oncology and exercise bodies in Australia. Yet many cancer survivors are still not adequately meeting the recommended amounts of weekly exercise.

This presentation will explore the common questions such as “Are these activities and amounts of exercise realistic for most?”; “Do you have to go to the gym?”; and “Are there other types of activities in addition to walking, cycling, swimming and lifting weights that can be done yet still receive the same health benefits?” As well as providing a series of alternative and creative ways that cancer survivors have increased their exercise to combat persisting side effects without attending a formalised gym setting.