➤ Oncology providers should recommend regular aerobic and
resistance exercise during active treatment with curative
intent and may recommend preoperative exercise for patients
undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
➤ Neutropenic diets (specifically diets that exclude raw fruits
and vegetables) are not recommended to prevent infection in
cancer patients during active treatment.
➤ Evidence for other dietary and weight loss interventions
during cancer treatment is very limited.
➤ The guideline discusses special considerations, such as
exercise in individuals with advanced cancer, and highlights
the critical need for more research in this area, particularly
regarding diet and weight loss interventions during cancer
treatment.
Key Points
Exercise
Recommendation 1.1
➤ Oncology providers should recommend aerobic and
resistance exercise during active treatment with curative
intent to mitigate side effects of cancer treatment. (Strong
recommendation; EB-B-M/L)
Note: Exercise interventions during active treatment reduce fatigue;
preserve cardiorespiratory fitness, physical functioning, and strength;
and in some populations, improve quality of life and reduce anxiety and
depression. In addition, exercise interventions during treatment have
low risk of adverse events. Evidence was not sufficient to recommend for
or against exercise during treatment to improve cancer control outcomes
(recurrence or survival) or treatment completion rates.
Treatment
