20/05/2026
Take a look at this important read from Exercise Sports Science Australia (ESSA) highlighting why exercise should no longer be considered “optional” in breast cancer care and should be standard practice.
Research continues to show that appropriately prescribed exercise during and after breast cancer treatment can:
• Reduce cancer-related fatigue
• Improve strength, mobility and physical function
• Support mental health and quality of life
• Assist recovery following surgery and treatment
• Potentially reduce risk of recurrence and improve long-term outcomes
The article also reinforces that exercise is not just about “fitness” it is a clinically valuable intervention that helps people maintain independence, tolerate treatment better, and regain confidence in their bodies.
Importantly, exercise should be individualised and supervised where appropriate, particularly during active treatment or recovery phases. Accredited Exercise Physiologists play a vital role in safely tailoring programs to each person’s needs, symptoms and treatment considerations.
As clinicians and healthcare providers, there is a growing responsibility to ensure exercise is integrated into cancer care pathways rather than viewed as an “extra.”
Movement is medicine!
“Exercise helped me feel like myself again.”
After surgery, chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy, Brisbane woman Maureen Whelan found strength, confidence and community through exercise physiology and cancer-specific Pilates classes.
Evidence shows exercise can help people undergoing cancer treatment by reducing fatigue, improving mobility, and supporting long-term recovery, yet many Australians still miss out due to inconsistent referral pathways.
ESSA is calling for exercise physiology to become a standard part of breast cancer care, so every woman has access to the support she needs to recover and thrive.
Read Maureen’s story: https://bit.ly/4dlug4l
