Evaluation of an Oncological Rehabilitation Program as Part of the Promotion of Therapeutic Physical Activity in Adults Cancer Patients

It is estimated that there were 19.3 million newly diagnosed cancer cases and almost 10 million cancer-related deaths globally in 2020. Despite the numerous advances in cancer treatment, cancer incidence and mortality have been increasing over the years, thus making cancer one of the greatest health threats to human beings. In recent decades, the advent of novel therapies in cancer has significantly prolonged the survival of oncological patients, yet many of these individuals are left with residual deficits, particularly motor and neurological, as well as cancer-related fatigue and depression. Exercise-based cancer rehabilitation is one of the main strategies which has been proved to be an effective way to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors. There are three main types of exercise training included as part of cancer rehabilitation: resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, and the combination of both. Furthermore, cognitive, and psychological support during this period might have a synergistic effect with physical activity. Although rehabilitation procedures are very well established after cardiovascular and neurological events, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, their role in oncology has only marginally been investigated nor completely accepted by the medical community. Nevertheless, cumulating evidence with clinical experience suggests that physical activity has emerged as an important complementary supportive care for cancer patients and can improve the care of patients with cancer and their quality of life. General clinical guidelines recommend that cancer rehabilitation begins ideally at the time of cancer diagnosis and continues through and beyond cancer treatment, but this is rarely done in clinical practice.There has been an effort to conduct qualitative studies to evaluate the effects of physical activity on cancer patients, with a particular focus on factors influencing an active lifestyle in cancer patients during or right after conclus