Exercise and the older cancer survivor

Abstract

Increased survival coupled with an increase in new diagnoses of cancer among elderly adults makes geriatric cancer patients the largest population of cancer survivors in the United States. Cancer and its treatment can lead to a myriad of adverse events (physical or cognitive impairment, psychological distress, and other symptoms) and negatively impact quality of life in older cancer patients and survivors. Physical activity recommendations vary across the cancer continuum and remain an important area of research in this population. Exercise interventions have been shown to be effective in treating both the physical and psychological declines associated with cancer and its treatment, with a potential to improve cancer-related outcomes. Despite the current evidence of benefits, exercise is still underutilized due to lack of awareness and knowledge among health care providers and older cancer patients. For older cancer patients and survivors to maintain or improve their physical function and possibly reduce the cancerrelated toxicities, oncology clinicians must be prepared to discuss the short- and long-term benefits of exercise. Exercise professionals should identify risks and contraindications that may affect exercise safety and tolerance and create individualized exercise prescriptions to meet the unique needs of this population. More exercise intervention studies in various settings, including the community and hospital, are needed to gain widespread acceptance. This chapter summarizes geriatric cancer-related toxicities and psychological distress and how exercise mediates these side effects. Exercise guidelines and how oncologists and exercise professionals can provide the appropriate supportive care needed in this population are also described.