Implementing Physical Exercise in Cancer Care

Strong evidence suggest that physical exercise reduces the risk of developing several types of cancer. In addition, recent research shows extremely positive effects on cancer treatment response from physical training during and after. Physical training improves physical capacity, reduces treatment-related side-effects, decreases the risk of post-treatment co-morbidity and cancer recurrence and improves survival rates.

Knowing this, which are the best ways to include physical training as a regular part of cancer treatment?

Healthcare cannot be expected to provide physical exercise facilities and personnel to fully meet the needs along the cancer control continuum. Clinical strategies to support and facilitate exercise during cancer treatment and involvement of actors outside healthcare are therefore necessary.

This workshop aims to develop ideas for how to target implementation barriers and incentives for promotion and organization of physical exercise among cancer patients during and after cancer treatment both within and outside healthcare. Cultural aspects, legislation, financial incentives, subsidized costs, priorities, knowledge and skills are issues that need to be included.

Inspirational Speakers: Dr. Martijn M Stuiver, Associate Professor, Amsterdam University and Researcher, Netherlands Cancer Institute.

Professor Mike Kelly, Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge

Šarūnas Narbutas, Cancer Patient, President of Lithuanian Cancer Patient Coalition (POLA), Lithuania

Link to chapter in Pre-Conference Report

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Workshop Team: Ingrid Demmelmaier, Birgitta Johansson & Karin Nordin, Uppsala University.