Exercise Strategy for Cancer Survivors

(ACCESS Trial)

Overseen By Scott Grandy, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority

Disqualifiers: Less than 18 years

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 30

Duration: 12 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how a structured 12-week exercise program can improve the physical and psychological well-being of cancer survivors. The researchers seek to determine if regular exercise can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, lessen treatment side effects such as anxiety and pain, and enhance overall quality of life. Individuals diagnosed with cancer, currently undergoing treatment, or treated within the last five years, who can handle mild physical activity, might be suitable candidates. Participants must be willing to attend the exercise sessions in Halifax.

As an unphased trial, this study offers an opportunity to contribute to valuable research that could enhance recovery and quality of life for cancer survivors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this exercise strategy is safe for cancer survivors?

Research has shown that exercise is generally safe for cancer survivors. Studies indicate that physical activity can lessen the side effects of cancer treatments. Exercise also reduces fatigue and improves the overall quality of life for cancer survivors. Importantly, staying active can lower the risk of cancer recurrence and may even reduce the chance of dying from cancer. Overall, most cancer survivors tolerate exercise well, making it a safe option to consider. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the potential benefits of exercise as a unique strategy for cancer survivors. Unlike conventional treatments that may focus solely on medications or therapies targeting cancer cells, this approach emphasizes a 12-week exercise program aimed at improving overall health and quality of life. Exercise can enhance physical fitness, reduce fatigue, and boost mood, offering a holistic benefit that complements existing cancer care. This trial could uncover new insights into how structured physical activity might support long-term recovery and well-being for cancer survivors.

What evidence suggests that exercise is effective for cancer survivors?

Research shows that exercise benefits cancer survivors. In this trial, participants will join a 12-week exercise program called ACCESS. Studies have found that exercise can lower the risk of cancer recurrence and reduce mortality rates. For example, a structured exercise program improved survival rates, with one study showing an 80% disease-free survival rate compared to 74% in those who only received health education. Exercise also reduces side effects of cancer treatments, such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Overall, exercise enhances physical fitness and quality of life for cancer survivors. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer, whether they're about to start treatment, currently in treatment, or finished within the last 5 years. Participants should be able to do light exercise and commit to a 12-week program in Halifax.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with cancer.

Be willing to attend a 12-week exercise program in Halifax

Be able to provide informed written consent in English

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Baseline physical fitness testing and cancer-specific screening measures are conducted to determine appropriateness for hospital or community-based physical activity participation

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-week exercise program including aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises delivered in a circuit-type class setting or group/individual personal training format

12 weeks

24 visits (in-person, twice weekly)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at baseline, post-intervention, 6 and 12 month follow-up

12 months

4 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exercise

Trial Overview The ACCESS program aims to integrate exercise as part of cancer care. It tests how effective a structured 12-week exercise regimen can be in improving physical and psychological health outcomes for cancer survivors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ACCESS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Individuals that consent to the study will be assigned to a 12-week exercise program (ACCESS)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Lead Sponsor

Trials

302

Recruited

95,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Regular moderate exercise significantly enhances physical, mental, and social well-being in breast cancer survivors after treatment, promoting overall recovery and quality of life.

A supportive environment and positive mindset towards exercise are crucial for encouraging breast cancer survivors to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle, which can improve their physical strength and endurance post-therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Maximizing exercise in breast cancer survivors. Adkins, BW.[2009]

Exercise has been shown to improve key physical health markers in breast cancer survivors, such as peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, and cardiovascular health, which are linked to better overall health outcomes.

The review will provide recommendations for exercise interventions tailored to breast cancer survivors, highlighting the importance of physical activity in reducing risks of disability and chronic diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinically Relevant Physical Benefits of Exercise Interventions in Breast Cancer Survivors. Kirkham, AA., Bland, KA., Sayyari, S., et al.[2018]

Exercise is an effective rehabilitative intervention for cancer survivors, as it helps maintain body weight and bone mass, particularly in a high-risk population like breast cancer survivors, based on findings from 25 randomized controlled trials.

While most trials showed no significant weight change, some indicated reductions in fat mass and increases in lean mass, highlighting the need for further research to optimize exercise interventions for improving quality of life in cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise and cancer. Knobf, MT., Winters-Stone, K.[2014]

Among cancer survivors, exercising in the afternoon (PM) led to significant improvements in fitness and lower-body muscular endurance, while morning (AM) or mixed exercise times did not show these benefits.

Mixed exercise timing was associated with less favorable outcomes, including increases in waist circumference, body weight, and BMI, suggesting that consistent AM or PM exercise may be better for weight management and overall health in cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The association between time-of-day of habitual exercise training and changes in relevant cancer health outcomes among cancer survivors. Coletta, AM., Playdon, MC., Baron, KG., et al.[2023]

Regular exercise significantly reduces the recurrence and mortality rates of several common cancers, and can improve quality of life and physical function in cancer survivors, with moderate activity like walking 30 minutes a day being effective.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week for cancer survivors, emphasizing that exercise is generally safe and should be encouraged, while also noting the need for specific precautions for those with certain medical conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initiating Exercise Interventions to Promote Wellness in Cancer Patients and Survivors. Schwartz, AL., de Heer, HD., Bea, JW.[2022]

Exercise is deemed safe and beneficial for cancer survivors, leading to improvements in physical function, strength, fatigue, quality of life, and potentially reducing recurrence and improving survival rates.

The guidelines developed by the American College of Sports Medicine provide a framework for oncology care providers to effectively collaborate with exercise and physical therapy professionals to implement these exercise recommendations in clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing the exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. Wolin, KY., Schwartz, AL., Matthews, CE., et al.[2023]

Physical activity is linked to a lower risk of developing breast cancer and recurrence, as well as improved survival rates, based on observational studies.

Engaging in physical activity can alleviate treatment-related side effects, such as fatigue from chemotherapy and musculoskeletal issues from aromatase inhibitors, highlighting its importance in breast cancer survivorship.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Activity and Breast Cancer: an Opportunity to Improve Outcomes. Peterson, LL., Ligibel, JA.[2019]

Regular physical exercise is associated with a reduced risk of developing colorectal and breast cancer, and may also lower the risk for prostate, endometrial, and lung cancers, based on a review of recent literature.

Exercise is beneficial for cancer survivors, aiding in recovery from treatment and potentially extending survival, although specific guidelines on the optimal amount, type, and intensity of exercise are still being developed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise in cancer. Rajarajeswaran, P., Vishnupriya, R.[2021]

Exercise training is a safe and well-tolerated adjunct therapy for cancer patients, showing potential to reduce treatment-related side effects during and after adjuvant therapy.

Current evidence suggests that incorporating exercise into the care plan for cancer survivors may enhance their overall management, although further research is needed to fully understand its benefits across different stages of cancer survivorship.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise therapy in the management of solid tumors. Jones, LW., Peppercom, J., Scott, JM., et al.[2021]

Physical activity has been shown to significantly improve both patient-reported outcomes and physiological health in cancer survivors during and after treatment, highlighting its importance in recovery.

The review discusses ongoing phase III trials that are investigating the impact of physical activity on clinical disease endpoints, suggesting a strong focus on integrating exercise into cancer care to enhance patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Putting Exercise Into Oncology Practice: State-of-the-Science, Innovation, and Future Directions. Brown, JC., Ligibel, JA.[2023]

Adding behavioral counseling to a 4-week supervised physical activity program for kidney cancer survivors showed feasibility and a potential increase in physical activity levels, although the increase was not statistically significant.

Participants receiving behavioral counseling improved their 6-minute walk distance significantly more than those receiving standard exercise counseling, suggesting that behavioral strategies may enhance fitness outcomes in cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of adding behavioral counseling to supervised physical activity in kidney cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Trinh, L., Plotnikoff, RC., Rhodes, RE., et al.[2014]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9454950/

Physical Activity and Cancer Care—A Review - PMC The findings from these studies show that physical activity decreases the severity of side effects of cancer treatment, reduces fatigue, improves quality of ...

2. asco.org asco.org/about-asco/press-center/news-releases/movement-medicine-structured-exercise-program-challenge

Structured Exercise Program May Lower Risk of Cancer ... At five years, the disease-free survival rate was 80% in the structured exercise program and 74% in the health education materials group.

3. aacr.org aacr.org/blog/2025/06/17/what-are-the-benefits-of-exercise-for-cancer-patients/

What Are the Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients? | Blog At a median follow-up of 7.9 years, exercise was found to reduce risk of recurrence, a new primary cancer developing, or death by 28%.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040842824003457

Grading the evidence for physical activity and any outcome ... Strong, highly suggestive and suggestive evidence support the benefits of physical activity in many tumor types and outcomes.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8576825/

Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors - PubMed Central There was sufficient evidence to conclude that exercise could improve physical fitness, physical functioning, quality of life, and cancer-related fatigue.

6. ysph.yale.edu ysph.yale.edu/news-article/how-exercise-increases-cancer-survival/

How Exercise Increases Cancer Survival The overall survival was 90.3% in the exercise group versus 83.2% in the group that received educational materials alone. Dr. Melinda Irwin, PhD ...