A new wave of cancer care is emerging: exercise is not just a supplement but a targeted intervention that can influence cancer biology and treatment outcomes. Research from the Exercise Oncology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center shows that a carefully prescribed exercise plan can counteract treatment side effects and support recovery. For Thai readers facing cancer, this direction offers practical, evidence-based steps beyond traditional medicine.
Historically, patients were urged to rest during treatment. Today, scientists are rethinking inactivity. Spaceflight and chemotherapy-related fatigue share striking similarities, including muscle and cognitive decline. Dr. Jessica Scott, a leader in exercise oncology who previously worked with NASA, notes that both cancer patients and astronauts can benefit from movement. The key is tailoring activity to each person’s situation, an approach Dr. Scott has applied from space medicine to oncology.
At MSK, the program treats exercise as precision medicine. Recommendations are individualized, based on the patient’s physiology, cancer type, and treatment plan. This work relies on rigorous clinical trials that explore how movement affects disease progression and response to therapy. As exercise physiologist Kylie Rowed emphasizes, exercise improves physical and mental health and helps mitigate long-term treatment effects from chemotherapy and radiation.
A pivotal finding comes from observing fitness changes during chemotherapy. Cardiorespiratory fitness can drop significantly, comparable to a decade of aging within six months. Yet, patients who engaged in regular exercise three times a week showed notable resistance to this decline. This insight drives ongoing questions about the optimal dose of activity, and whether more exercise has additional benefits or diminishing returns.
A recent study involved 53 men with early-stage prostate cancer, analyzed during a four-week window between diagnosis and surgery. Researchers assigned a personalized exercise dose, ranging from 90 to 450 minutes weekly, delivered through home treadmill sessions supervised online. Participants also connected through group virtual sessions, highlighting the social support aspect that resonates with Thai communities that value collective wellness and shared activity.
Biomarkers associated with cancer progression, including Ki-67 and PSA, were tracked. Remarkably, as little as 225 minutes of weekly exercise stabilized or reduced these markers. Increasing the exercise dose beyond this threshold did not provide extra benefits, making the regimen practical for patients who are fatigued or older.
While encouraging, experts caution that more evidence is needed to prove improved cancer outcomes. A phase 2 trial focusing on the 225-minute weekly dose is underway, with researchers exploring applicability to other tumor types and genetic profiles.
In Thailand, where cancer incidence is rising and health systems face non-communicable disease pressures, these findings resonate. Thai history of community exercise—from park aerobics to temple-area walking paths—fits naturally with supervised, personalized exercise programs. Hospitals and cancer centers could integrate exercise physiologists with oncologists to craft individual plans, a model already advancing in leading cancer centers worldwide.
Today, some Thai hospitals offer rehabilitation and basic exercise options, but full integration of exercise oncology remains limited. With public health promotion efforts and a focus on lifestyle factors within universal health coverage, pilot programs rooted in the latest evidence could gain traction. Data from global health organizations supports policies that encourage physical activity as part of cancer care and prevention.
Psychological empowerment is another benefit. Participants often describe a sense of control during a difficult time, which aligns with Thai wellness values that emphasize mind–body balance and resilience.
Looking ahead, the vision is clear: every cancer patient could receive an individualized exercise prescription aligned with diagnosis, genetics, and capacity—mirroring advances in drug therapies. This would bring advanced, non-pharmaceutical care into Thai hospitals, promoting equity and quality of life.
For now, individuals should consult their healthcare team before starting any new exercise. Light-to-moderate activities such as walking, cycling, or swimming can be appropriate when tailored to health status and supervised if possible. Thai health authorities, insurers, and charities are encouraged to share guidance through seminars, digital platforms, and community partnerships.
Public health takeaway: staying active supports long-term cancer risk reduction and resilience against illness. Schools, workplaces, and families can foster a culture of movement that benefits general wellbeing and prepares communities to respond to health challenges.
In summary, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s work signals a new era where exercise is treated with the same scientific rigor as medications. For Thailand, this approach offers a practical, culturally resonant path to enhance cancer care and overall health outcomes. Movement can be a foundational defense—accessible, empowering, and scientifically grounded.
Action steps: talk to your medical team about safe, feasible exercise options; policymakers should consider Thai-specific guidelines and invest in integrated rehabilitation programs; communities can continue to champion group activities and accessible parks that support lifelong activity.