Exercise for Fighting Oncology Repercussions After Treatment

Exercise for Fighting Oncology Repercussions After Treatment: the EFFORT Trial

Cancer survival rates are currently on the verge of 70% at 5 years since diagnosis. Recent improvements in main cancer therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy as well as developments of new biological therapies have significantly improved survival rates but unfortunately, cancer-related side effects continue to affect many patients even years after completion of main treatments. Exercise has been shown to not only ameliorate cancer-related effects before, during and after treatment but also improve disease-free and overall survival rates by decreasing risk factors associated with cancer risk and improving resilience to treatment. In this non-randomised, three-arm study, we aim to assess the effects of three forms of exercise (i.e: Nordic Walking, Aquatic Exercise and Functional Exercise) on physical performance, cancer-related fatigue, health-related quality of life and cancer-specific symptoms in a wide range of cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults diagnosed with cancer
• Completion of any cancer therapy in the previous 3 months with the exception of hormonal therapy
• Patients living within the Maresme Area
• No contraindications for exercise (oncology clearance or Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire negative)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with any neurologic, cognitive or musculoskeletal impairments that prevent them to engage in any assessment test or exercise modality.
• Patients with unstable cardiac, respiratory or metabolic diseases
• Unable to speak or read Catalan or Spanish