Exercise May Improve Completion of Standard and Emerging Cancer Treatments

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Therapeutics
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Adherence to the full course of anti-cancer therapy is crucial for treatment effectiveness, minimizing cancer recurrence, and enhancing patient survival.
• The evolving landscape of cancer treatments necessitates standardized reporting to accurately assess treatment completion rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical importance of completing anti-cancer treatment.
• To underscore the potential role of exercise in improving cancer treatment adherence.
• To advocate for standardized terminology in reporting cancer treatment completion.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on cancer treatment adherence and exercise interventions.
• Analysis of current reporting practices for cancer treatment completion.
• Synthesis of evidence on the impact of exercise on treatment adherence.

Main Results:

• Complete anti-cancer treatment maximizes efficacy, reduces recurrence risk, and improves survival outcomes.
• Exercise interventions show promise in enhancing the likelihood of patients completing their prescribed cancer treatment.
• Current terminology for reporting treatment completion lacks standardization, hindering comparative analysis.

Conclusions:

• Ensuring patients receive their entire prescribed course of anti-cancer treatment is paramount for optimal oncological outcomes.
• Incorporating exercise programs during cancer therapy may be a viable strategy to improve treatment completion rates.
• Standardized terminology is essential for consistent and accurate reporting of cancer treatment completion across studies and clinical settings.