For people with lung cancer, exercise can be difficult. This is also among the important things

When you think of lung cancer treatment, what comes to mind – chemotherapy, radiation, surgery? While this can be very important, there is another powerful tool that is often overlooked: exercise.

Our latest study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports, challenges the common belief that people with lung cancer are not physically active.

In fact, we have found that exercise can play an important role in improving quality of life in combating this disease.

What we did and what we found

Our review included an analysis of 26 high-quality studies on how to incorporate exercise into lung cancer treatment.

We found an overwhelming weight of evidence showing that exercise offers benefits at every stage of the lung cancer journey. These include:

• Before surgery (being more fit can lead to faster recovery and potentially fewer complications)
• After surgery (gentle exercise helps regain strength and makes daily activities easier)
• During other treatments (physical activity can reduce side effects such as fatigue and muscle weakness)
• In advanced stages of the disease (even for late-stage patients, evidence shows that exercise can improve quality of life and maintain independence)
• Patients experiencing muscle wasting (evidence shows exercise, especially strength training, helps preserve muscle and keeps patients strong).

What does exercise look like?

When we say “exercise,” we’re not talking about running a marathon. For someone with lung cancer, this may mean:

• A short walk around the block
• Some gentle cycling on a stationary bike
• Swimming or doing some movement in the water
• Lifting light weights or doing restricted exercises
• Doing yoga or tai chi for more mobile, flexible joints as well as stress and pain relief.

The key is to start slow and listen to your body. What works for one person may not work for another.

Starting safely

If you or a loved one has lung cancer and want to be more active, start by talking to your doctor. They can advise on any precautions you should take and refer you to an exercise specialist if necessary.

You may also consider working with an exercise physiologist or physical therapist who can design a safe, personalized program.

It’s okay to start small – even five to ten minutes of activity is beneficial, according to Cancer Council Australia.

Try to be consistent, if you can. Regular, gentle exercise is better than an occasional intense burn.

This can help track your progress and how you feel after each session. You might also try looking for support groups or exercise classes, especially for cancer patients, at local hospitals or community centers.

The Cancer Council Australia website offers inspiration and ideas on exercises, even at home.

Real world benefits

Research shows that regular physical activity can significantly improve the quality of life for lung cancer patients. This can include:

• Fatigue is reduced, although it may be counterproductive

• Breathe lightly, as exercise can improve lung function
• Decreased muscle mass, which makes daily tasks easier

• Good mood, because physical exercise can help fight depression and anxiety

• good sleep Many patients report falling asleep more easily after starting an exercise routine.

Discredit, and get the exercise support you deserve

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. It is a devastating disease that affects not only the body, but also a person’s mental health and quality of life.

Unfortunately, it is often associated with lung cancer. Many patients feel judged, or that they must have done something – such as smoking – to “deserve” their diagnosis.

This shame can prevent people from seeking help or joining support programs.

But here’s an important fact: Anyone can get lung cancer, even if they’ve never smoked.

And regardless of whether a person develops an illness, they deserve compassion and the best possible care — including physical activity support.

It’s never too late to start

It is important to note that exercise can be beneficial even for those receiving palliative care.

In palliative care, the goals change from fighting cancer to improving comfort and quality of life, and physical activity can play an important role in this.

Diagnosing lung cancer is undoubtedly difficult. But we’re learning that patients have more tools to improve their well-being than we once thought.

Exercise is not a cure, but it can be a powerful complement to traditional therapies and medications.

If you or someone you know has lung cancer, don’t be afraid to discuss incorporating exercise into your treatment plan with your healthcare team. Start small, be patient and steady, and remember that every part of the movement counts.

By challenging old assumptions and making exercise a part of lung cancer care, we can empower patients to take a more active role in their treatment.