About Cancerfit
What is it?
A website providing resources regarding exercise for people living with and beyond cancer.
Why is it needed?
There is persuasive evidence that exercise and physical activity during and after cancer is associated with improved physical and psychological well-being, reduced side effects and risks of treatment, decreased cancer-related fatigue, enhanced self-esteem and possibly reduced risk of recurrence, and improved survival.
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia guidelines have recently called for exercise to be embedded as part of standard practice in cancer care and to be viewed as an adjunct therapy that helps counteract the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. There is a move to do similar in the UK.
A survey of 432 ‘sporty people who have or have had cancer’* found that:
- 51% of respondents were given no information regarding exercise during their cancer treatment
- Only 13% of respondents were given specific information regarding exercise tailored to their athletic ability
- 72% of respondents felt they were not provided with sufficient information regarding exercise after their cancer treatment
- Only 11% of respondents felt it was easy to find information regarding exercise and cancer
- 81% of respondents answered yes and 14% answered maybe to the question “Would you have found a website aimed at helping sporty people undergoing cancer treatment useful?”
*pending publication