Should you rest or move during chemotherapy?

When you are going through chemotherapy, it is natural to want to rest as much as you can. But the cancer guideline now tells oncologists to recommend aerobic and strength exercise during treatment, because it eases the side effects. In the studies, fitness, strength and fatigue all improved.

On the days you feel unwell, rest, and on the other days, try to keep moving.

What I can’t tell you is that exercise makes the chemotherapy itself work better. Nobody has shown that yet, and I won’t pretend otherwise.

Cancer fatigue is different from ordinary tiredness, and rest alone won’t always relieve it. The cancer fatigue guideline recommends exercise to ease it, both during treatment and afterwards. I suggest starting small and building a little each week.

Before you start, it helps to ask your care team three questions. Are there any limits on what I can do right now? Do any of my medicines change how active I can be? Is there anything about my bones I should know?

Exercise works alongside your medical treatment, not instead of it. Please check with your care team before you start.