At KBPT, we’re firm believers in using fitness as a way to feel empowered, strong and in control, no matter what life throws your way. If you or someone you love is facing cancer treatment, exercise might not be the first thing on your mind. But growing research shows that movement really matters: before, during and after treatment.
We’re not talking about pushing through pain or doing anything extreme. This is about finding ways to support your body and mind through one of the toughest chapters in life. From reducing treatment side effects to improving recovery and even boosting survival rates, exercise is a powerful tool that can make a real difference.
Here’s how.
Before Treatment: Building a Strong Foundation
Starting an exercise routine before cancer treatment (sometimes called ‘prehabilitation’) can help prepare your body for the journey ahead.
Here’s what regular movement can do before treatment begins:
- Boost cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength, which can help your body tolerate chemotherapy or radiotherapy better.
- Support your immune system, helping you stay resilient.
- Reduce side effects like fatigue and nausea once treatment starts.
It also builds mental strength. Knowing you’re taking action can help you feel more in control. Many cancer recovery programmes, including those led by personal trainers for cancer patients, now encourage people to start moving early.
Even small steps count: walking, bodyweight strength exercises or gentle increased mobility work can all help. The goal is to build a solid baseline of health to take into treatment.
During Treatment: Why Movement Still Matters
It’s completely normal to feel tired, low on energy or out of sorts during cancer treatment. But continuing to move, in a way that’s tailored to how you feel, can be incredibly beneficial.
In fact, structured exercise during chemotherapy has been shown to shrink tumours more effectively. One study found 75% of people who followed a weekly routine of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise and two strength sessions experienced tumour shrinkage, compared to just 37% of those who didn’t exercise.
Other benefits of movement during treatment include:
- Supporting how your body responds to treatment by improving oxygen flow and blood circulation.
- Helping with mood, energy and reducing anxiety or depression.
- Maintaining muscle mass and preventing excessive fatigue.
The key is adapting to what your body needs. Some days might feel easier than others. A personal trainer with experience in cancer recovery can help you navigate this safely.
Strength Training and Supervised Support
Strength training isn’t just about building muscle, it’s about protecting your body and giving it the tools to recover.
For cancer patients, strength training can:
- Slow down or prevent muscle loss (common during treatment).
- Release special muscle proteins (myokines) that help reduce inflammation and even suppress tumour growth.
- Support bone health, metabolism and balance.
One long-term study in high-risk colon cancer patients found that those who followed a supervised exercise programme reduced their risk of death by 37% and had a 28% lower risk of recurrence. That’s on par with the effects of chemotherapy itself.
Supervised sessions matter, especially when tailored to your energy levels, physical changes and emotional state. That’s where working with a cancer-specialist personal trainer makes all the difference.
Why Nutrition and Exercise Work Better Together
It’s not just about movement, nutrition advice plays a vital role too. Pairing a balanced diet with regular exercise can give your body what it needs to heal and stay strong.
Research shows that a Mediterranean-style diet (think: colourful veg, fruit, whole grains, olive oil and lean proteins) can:
- Lower cancer-related death by up to 32%.
- Reduce the risk of heart disease in survivors by as much as 60%.
- Support immune function, weight control, and reduce inflammation.
Among breast cancer survivors, those who stuck closely to this way of eating saw a 41% lower risk of recurrence.
Put simply, food and movement work best when they work together. They build immunity, improve body composition, and help you feel better from the inside out.
After Treatment: Recovery and Beyond
Finishing treatment is a huge milestone, but recovery doesn’t stop there. Staying active and nourished is key to long-term health and rebuilding confidence in your body.
Exercise after cancer treatment can:
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- Lower the risk of recurrence and reduce overall mortality.
- Rebuild muscle and strength lost during treatment.
- Improve and boost mental health, wellbeing and body image.
Paired with a nutritious diet rich in fibre, lean protein, fruit and veg, and plant-based foods, recovery can be about more than surviving, it’s about thriving.
It’s also a chance to reconnect with your body in a new way. We often see clients emerge from treatment wanting to move again, not just to ‘get back’ to where they were, but to discover new goals, strength and confidence.
How KBPT Can Support You
At KBPT, we offer personalised, supportive training designed around your needs. Whether you’re preparing for treatment, moving through it, or focused on recovery and strength-building after, we’re here to guide you.
We understand that everyone’s journey is different. That’s why our personal training team offers:
- Tailored, one-on-one training with experienced female trainers
- Specific cancer recovery expertise
- Flexible training plans based on how you feel
- Monthly payments and no-pressure commitments
- Free 15-minute check-in calls to talk through your goals
You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re looking for cancer exercise programmes or a personal trainer with experience supporting people through cancer, we’d love to hear from you.
www.kbptpersonaltraining.co.uk/contactÂ
Let’s help you feel stronger, more confident, and supported, every step of the way of your cancer recovery.
