The effect of a 12-session community exercise programme on health measures across varying cancer types and rehabilitation stages.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the long-term impact of a 12 session community exercise programme on health outcomes in cancer survivors. The study focused on physical activity levels, quality of life and related measures across cancer types and rehabilitation stages including exercise before treatment and exercise during or after treatment.

METHODS

A total of 918 participants diagnosed with breast, prostate, colon, lymphoma and other cancers joined the programme between 2014 and 2019. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention and 6 and 12 months post-intervention, measuring physical activity, quality of life, fatigue, lower extremity strength, waist circumference, bodyweight, Body Mass Index, and blood pressure.

RESULTS

Breast cancer participants showed significantly sustained improvements in physical activity, lower extremity strength and quality of life. Colon cancer participants experienced reduced fatigue and enhanced quality of life. Significant improvements in quality of life and health-related quality of life were also observed in 'other cancer types' group. However, no long-term improvements were noted for lymphoma participants. Rehabilitation provided notable long-term benefits, whilst prehabilitation was limited by poor adherence rates.

CONCLUSION

The 12 session exercise programme demonstrated long-term benefits for breast, prostate and colon cancer participants, highlighting the value of community-based exercise during rehabilitation. Enhancing adherence may improve outcomes for lymphoma and prehabilitation participants.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This structured supervised community exercise programme showed to significantly mitigate some of the related treatment side effects, with substantial benefits during rehabilitation, particularly for breast and colon participants living beyond cancer.