Personalized Exercise Plan for During or After Treatment
Cancer Exercise Program
As part of its L.I.F.E. Survivorship Program, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center offers a Cancer Exercise Program that helps cancer survivors reengage in physical activity and exercise after a cancer diagnosis.
The program customizes a personalized exercise plan that is designed for each patient’s needs, abilities and interests based on surgeries, type of cancer, and underlying and associated medical conditions.
Who is Eligible
How to Get Started
Current patients of the Baptist MD Anderson L.I.F.E. Survivorship Program are invited to participate. Patients of all fitness levels are accepted as each patient is evaluated by a physical therapist so that modifications and appropriate recommendations can be made. Appointments are by referral only.
Research-driven
Benefits of Exercise
Research has shown that regular exercise speeds recovery for cancer survivors, promotes the effectiveness of other parts of treatment, and can significantly deter recurrence rates. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has issued exercise recommendations for cancer survivors. The recommendations state that cancer survivors should participate in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise 3-5 times per week and strength training 2-3 times per week.
The Program is Designed to:
- Minimize your risk of injury during exercise
- Help you become more confident in your ability to be active
- Help to minimize side effects of cancer treatment (i.e. fatigue, pain, bone & muscle loss, etc.)
- Regain flexibility and range of motion to sites post-radiation or surgery
- Develop, maintain or regain muscle tone and cardiovascular endurance
- Refocus energy from “illness” to “wellness”
- Improve quality of life (i.e. stress, anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and other health morbidities
- Improve self-image and confidence
What’s Included:
- Initial physical therapy evaluation and fitness assessment
- Physical therapy for significant safety and functional impairments
- Personalized exercise prescription incorporating strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular training
- Cancer exercise orientation that includes instruction on exercise equipment, safety and form with a certified exercise physiologist
- Eight-week complementary membership to the Baptist Rehabilitation Wellness Center
- Final one-to-one fitness and quality of life assessment with a certified exercise physiologist with comparative metrics from initial evaluation and establishment of goals for an ongoing fitness program
be empowered
Additional Resources
Exercise Benefits by Type
Learn more about the expected benefits for different types of exercise for cancer survivors.
Cancer Rehabilitation
Learn more about our physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services.
LIFE Survivorship Program
Our L.I.F.E. Survivorship Program provides support services to all cancer survivors.