Introduction: The Growing Role of Exercise in Cancer Care
At Gathering Around Cancer 2025, Dr. Noel McCaffrey of Dublin City University highlighted a transformative shift in how cancer care is approached. No longer a peripheral recommendation, exercise is increasingly positioned as a core component of treatment and survivorship. The talk underscored both the potential benefits and the real-world challenges of designing and delivering exercise programs for people living with cancer.
The Promise of Exercise for Cancer Patients
Research across multiple cancer types suggests that structured physical activity can improve physical function, reduce treatment-related fatigue, help with mood and sleep, and support overall quality of life. Dr. McCaffrey emphasized that exercise does not need to be intense to be effective; even moderate activities like walking, gentle resistance work, or guided yoga can yield meaningful gains when tailored to an individual’s health status and treatment phase.
Tailored Approaches Matter
One key takeaway from the talk was the importance of personalization. Cancer patients present with diverse needs: varying treatment regimens, different tumor types, fluctuating energy levels, and comorbidities. Creating adaptable exercise plans—progressive, safe, and responsive to side effects such as neuropathy, lymphedema, or anemia—helps ensure participation without overexertion.
Practical Challenges in Building Exercise Programs
Despite clear benefits, implementing exercise programs for cancer patients faces several hurdles. Logistics, staffing, and funding were frequently cited barriers. In busy oncology settings, securing time for supervised sessions, ensuring proper equipment, and coordinating with medical teams require thoughtful planning. Dr. McCaffrey also pointed to patient-specific barriers, including transportation, fatigue, pain, and fear of injury, which can deter participation.
What Works: Models and Best Practices
Several practical models emerged from the discussion as promising avenues for scalable, effective care:
- Integrated care pathways: embedding exercise prescription within standard oncology care, with clinicians, exercise professionals, and rehabilitation specialists collaborating from diagnosis onward.
- Home-based and hybrid programs: leveraging digital tools and community resources to extend reach beyond the clinic, while retaining periodic supervision to monitor safety and progress.
- Group-based activities: providing social support, motivation, and professional oversight in settings like cancer exercise classes, which can improve adherence and outcomes.
- Risk stratification and safety protocols: using simple screening to identify who might benefit from closer medical oversight during exercise, and adjusting intensity for those with treatment-related limitations.
Practical Steps for Clinicians and Programs
For clinicians and administrators aiming to get moving in cancer care, here are actionable steps highlighted during the talk:
- Early integration: discuss physical activity early in the treatment journey and set realistic goals aligned with medical treatment.
- Multidisciplinary teams: involve physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, nurses, and oncologists to design and monitor exercise plans.
- Education and empowerment: teach patients safe movement strategies, energy management, and pacing to build confidence and reduce fear of exercise.
- Evaluation and data: track outcomes such as fatigue, functional status, and quality of life to refine programs and demonstrate value to stakeholders.
Looking Ahead: Creating a Sustainable Framework
As the evidence base grows, the central question becomes how to sustain exercise programs across healthcare systems. The gathering highlighted the need for policy support, funding models, and training pipelines to prepare a workforce capable of delivering personalized, scalable cancer exercise care. The ultimate aim is to empower patients to move through treatment and beyond, preserving function and dignity at every stage.
Conclusion
Dr. Noel McCaffrey’s insights at Gathering Around Cancer 2025 illuminate a practical and hopeful path for integrating exercise into cancer care. By prioritizing personalization, adopting flexible delivery models, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, healthcare systems can transform exercise from a recommendation into a standard, life-enhancing component of cancer treatment and survivorship.
