The simple answer is yes, but the right exercise when you have cancer will vary from person to person, and your current fitness and ability to exercise should be taken into consideration. Thinking about exercise might be the last thing on your mind while dealing with symptoms or side effects, but physical activity may help with this.

Being active before, during and after cancer treatment can really help and has numerous benefits including increasing energy levels, improving mood, helping with treatment-related side effects, helping with sleep and improving mental health.

Suitable activities may differ depending on your condition. However, generally speaking exercise that is low impact will be best. This could include;

Walking, cycling, yoga, swimming, dancing

It's best to start gradually with something you enjoy and feel comfortable with.

Whatever your current level of fitness and ability to exercise, there are activities that will be right for you. When beginning exercise, it is important to consider what you are capable of and what you can manage. For one person, this could be sport while for someone else it could be simple stretches. Depending on what you can manage, changes and adding exercise into your routine should be done gradually. It is important that the exercise is something that you will enjoy ding as this means you are more likely to stick with the activity.

It is usually safe to start doing some exercise during or after treatment. It can be hard to think about exercise when you are dealing with the symptoms of cancer or side effects of treatment. But becoming more active may help deal with this. If you decide to do some type of physical activity, it is important to make sure you do it safely and suitable activities may differ depending on your condition. Exercises that you could include in your exercise routine could include:

• Walking
• Cycling
• Yoga
• Swimming
• Dancing

Even if you did regular physical activity before you were diagnosed with cancer, you may need to be more careful. It's best to start gradually with something you enjoy and feel.

Physical activity is safe, even when you have symptoms of long-term conditions, such as cancer. Regular physical activity, in combination with your medical care, is important in the management long-term conditions. However, if you experience a dramatic increase in breathlessness, new or worsening chest pain, a sudden onset of rapid palpitations or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or sudden change in vision, it is important to stop and seek medical advice.

There may be time when you need to be extra careful or avoid exercising all together. These times could include when:

• Cancer is affecting your bones as you could be more prone to breaks or fractures.
• You have low immunity due to treatment. It may still be feasible to exercise, but environments such as public gyms may not be the most suitable place.
• You have peripheral neuropathy – loss of sensation, or pins and needles. If you are suffering from this, it may be safer to use a stationary bike to exercise.
• You have had surgery. Depending on advice from your doctor, you may need to wait before resuming exercise.