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Exercise and Oncology

Meaning

Exercise and oncology is a clinical and research field that investigates the profound impact of physical activity, both acute and chronic, on cancer prevention, treatment efficacy, survivorship, and the management of treatment-related side effects, particularly those linked to endocrine-disrupting therapies. For hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancer, exercise is recognized as a powerful non-pharmacological intervention that can modulate key endocrine pathways, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and sex steroid metabolism. Integrating structured exercise is now considered a vital component of comprehensive cancer care, improving physiological resilience and quality of life.