EXERCISE AND CANCER: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the effects on exercise in cancer prevention and treatment, with the goal of elucidating non-pharmacological interventions for the possible prevention and treatment of this disease. Methods: A comprehensive literature search up to January 2013 to identify articles that examine the the effects of physical exercise and its use in prevention and treatment of cancer. Key words included: exercise, cancer, prevention, physical activity, treatment, and neoplasm. Searches were preformed using databases of PubMed, Cochrane library, CINAHL, and cancer lit. Results: The majority of research conducted with regards to breast, colon, prostate, and endometrial cancers has shown a reduction of 20 to 30% depending on the type and stage of cancer. Other cancers have seen inconsistent results, warranting the need for additional research in the development of an exercise prescription. Non-pharmacological treatment using exercise as an adjuvant therapy to the current standard of care has demonstrated to be beneficial. However, inconsistencies with respects to intensity, duration and type of exercise for cancer patients have fueled the debate as to the most effective exercise prescription for this disease process. Conclusions: The many epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies published have demonstrated an inverse relationship between physical activity and frequency of various types of cancer. These studies further substantiate the benefits and ultimately the need for specific directives for an exercise prescription to aide in the treatment of cancer.