Moving Through Treatment: Why Exercise is a Powerful Ally in Your Cancer Journey

For decades, the well-meaning advice for cancer patients was to rest, rest, and rest some more. But a paradigm shift is underway, with leading oncologists now championing a dramatically different approach: stay active.

As explained by Dr. Advani, this old mindset is common but counterproductive.

 "Normally what they do to the patient... They tell the patient, "Please don't do this, don't do this, don't do this, don't walk, take rest," he says, noting that this often leaves "patients troubled because of that."

The new standard of care is the opposite. Dr. Advani and his team actively encourage movement. "We tell the relatives not to do this at all,” he emphasizes. “Encourage them to walk and move as much as they can… that's the only way to keep the patient more happy."
The benefits are profound. While patients often feel weak post-chemotherapy or radiotherapy, excessive rest actually slows recovery. "The recovery will be much slower if they take more rest; that's very clear," states Dr. Advani. His prescription?

"Please do everything that you can do... Go for a walk, go for a swim, go for exercise, indoor cycling, you can go for all other exercises, like yoga."

This isn't just about feeling better now; it's about long-term health. Dr. Advani highlights compelling evidence: "Lastly, there's at least some data that in breast cancer the risk of recurrence is less if the patient is walking five kilometers every day after the treatment... A good amount of exercise allows fat consumption and therefore reduces the risk of relapse."

The message is clear: under the guidance of your medical team, exercise is not just safe; it’s a vital therapy. It fights fatigue, boosts mood, accelerates recovery, and can even play a role in protecting your future health. So, take that step, and keep moving forward.