​​A new large analysis led by ACS researchers shows engaging in leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after a cancer diagnosis improves survival for people with different cancer types, including bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, lung, oral, prostate, rectal, and respiratory cancer. 

“The effects of cancer treatment can wear you down physically and mentally,” said Dr. Erika Rees-Punia, senior principal scientist, population science research at ACS and lead author of the study. “This can make exercise feel like a daunting task, but doing some exercise is better than doing none. Finding an exercise that you enjoy or exercising with a friend can make it more approachable.”

This is the first longitudinal study of the relationships between postdiagnosis physical activity and overall mortality in bladder and oral cavity cancer survivors and is the largest study to quantify associations within survivors of endometrial, kidney, and lung cancer. The findings were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI).

“For decades, it’s been known that consistent exercise can help people live healthier lives,” Rees-Punia added. “Our findings bring more critical evidence that being physically active after a cancer diagnosis can have a meaningful impact on your likelihood of survival.”

Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Dr. Lauren Teras, Christina Newton, Dr. Lauren Bates-Fraser, Den E Bloodworth, and senior author Dr. Alpa Patel.