Can exercise really help those affected by a melanoma or skin cancer diagnosis?

25th October 2023
Tamara Dawson

2 min read

Can exercise really help those affected by a melanoma or skin cancer diagnosis?

Exercise is an important part of living well after a diagnosis as it can support both your physical and mental health.
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is an organisation which is involved in the research and practice of exercise in the management of cancer. Jason Gardener and Ashley Bigaran, Accredited Exercise Physiologists with ESSA, looks at how exercise can be an important part of living well after diagnosis.

Cancer affects a large number of Australians every single day. It affects individuals diagnosed with cancer as well as their families and communities. With advances in research and treatment, it is promising to see that survival rates are improving. As the research in cancer has increased, so too has the research on the benefits of exercise as medicine for cancer. This research shows that exercising during and after cancer treatment can have a range of positive outcomes. Exercising while you are going through treatment can be difficult. However it is recommended that you try to be as active as possible before, during and after your treatment. Exercise can help to ease many of the side effects of treatment, including fatigue and nausea. Exercise can also help to boost the immune system of patients receiving cancer treatment.

Some handy exercise tips

Being active should be fun and enjoyable. Here are some ideas to help get you motivated:

Something is better than nothing
Small movements every day can support your
health.

Do things you enjoy
You are more likely to stick with activities that you enjoy doing.

Every movement helps
Whether it is doing some gardening or walking to the shops, it all adds up!

Do it with friends
Research shows that exercising with others can help.

What exercise program is right for me?

It is very important that you work with your treatment team and Accredited Exercise Physiologist to create an exercise program just for you. The exercise program will suit you and your health needs, condition, and treatment plan.

You could see many benefits to your health by sticking to an exercise program designed just for you by experts. This could include:

Improved muscle mass, strength, and power
Improved cardiorespiratory fitness
Improved physical function and physical activity levels
Improved range of motion
Improved immune function
Reduced anxiety and depression
Improved self-reported quality of life
Improved body composition

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist can work with you and your treatment team if you want to include more exercise into your life as a way to support your treatment or your health.

You can find an expert in your area by using the ESSA Search Function and choosing a professional who specialises in cancer support.

The Spot on Resource

This feature is part of MSCAN’s Wellbeing series which also includes content from MSCAN’s Spot on Resource. If you have been diagnosed with advanced melanoma, or know someone that has, you can order a FREE copy of MSCAN’s Spot on Resource.

Order your free copy