Movement is Medicine for Cancer Patients

 by Kathryn White

When you're living with or healing from cancer, the word exercise can carry a lot of baggage. It might remind you of what you used to be able to do, of expectations you no longer feel able to meet, or of all the ways your body has changed. For many, it becomes something you should do, another task on a long list of things supposed to help you heal.

But what if we changed the narrative?

What if movement wasn’t a duty or a demand, but a joyful, life-affirming practice?

Movement Is an Invitation

Movement isn’t about performance or metrics. It’s an invitation that meets you where you are.

It’s an invitation to:

• Reconnect with your body

• Breathe a little deeper

• Notice what feels good

• Move in a way that honours how you feel right now

Some days, it might be as simple as stretching in bed. Other days, it could be a slow walk, dancing in your kitchen, or lying on the floor and swaying gently. There is no one right way to move. And all of it counts.

When we release the pressure to “earn” movement, it becomes a return to self and a celebration of life. A quiet rebellion against the idea that our bodies must perform to be deserving.

So if you’ve been feeling disconnected from exercise or burdened by its expectations, try this pause:

How does my body want to move today?

Then gently follow that whisper without guilt, without rules, just compassion and presence.

New Evidence: Exercise and Colorectal Cancer Outcomes

A landmark clinical trial presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting has confirmed what many of us suspected: structured movement can actually reduce colorectal cancer recurrence and improve survival.

• The 17-year CHALLENGE trial followed nearly 900 patients with Stage II–III colorectal cancer across six countries. After completing surgery and chemotherapy, participants were randomly assigned to either a 3-year structured exercise program or standard health education materials 

• Those in the exercise group—which included moderate aerobic activities like walking, biking, or swimming for about 2.5 hours weekly—experienced:

  • A 28% lower risk of cancer recurrence or new primary cancers after five years 

  • A 37% reduction in risk of death at eight-year follow-up (90% overall survival vs. 83%) 

Beyond longevity, patients also reported better physical function, fitness, and overall well-being. Learn more here.

These findings point to a powerful shift: movement is not just supportive care—it’s medicine. Physical activity is being embraced as a legitimate, low-cost, life-extending intervention that should be woven into standard cancer care .

Translation for everyday life:
You don't need fancy equipment or marathon-level intensity. The study used movement you might already be doing—walking, biking, swimming—structured in ways that feel meaningful. That structured, joyful, self‑honoring movement counts, not just for quality of life, but for survival too.

How to Embrace This in Your Life

1. Let curiosity guide you. Movement is personal. Ask yourself: what activity feels interesting today?

2. Keep it simple. A paced walk, a gentle bike ride, or dancing in the living room all honor your body.

3. Make it consistent. Aim for at least 150‑200 minutes a week of moderate movement—breaking it into smaller sessions is totally valid.

4. Frame it as medicine. When you move, you’re not just checking a box—you’re nourishing your body, mind, and spirit.

5. Seek support. Whether it's a walking buddy, a gentle exercise coach, or simply sharing your goals with friends, connection makes consistency easier.

A New Invitation

Movement is not an obligation; it’s a lifeline.

It’s a way to reconnect, to breathe deeper, to move through grief or healing with kindness.

It’s physical survival, but it’s also joy. It’s reclaiming agency. It’s a rebellion against the demand to always do more.

So take this as permission:—
To stop forcing exercises you dread.
To start moving with intention and curiosity.
To treat your movement ritual as medicine, not martyrdom.

Because you deserve movement that lights you up and honours your journey.

Want some help getting started?
Enjoy this 15 minute yin yoga practice.

Listen to this episode of the Living to Thrive with Cancer Podcast to learn more bout studies and benefits of movement for women with cancer.

If you would like to know more about the concept of living with cancer, I have written a book all about my personal experience with moving from survivor to thriver. In my book I offer anecdotes and strategies that will encourage you to learn how to thrive with cancer. You can get a copy of Living to Thrive: a holistic guide to living with cancer here.

You don't have to navigate cancer alone. As a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach I support women who are looking for more than just surviving day to day - they want to learn how to thrive with cancer. The THRIVE Cancer Coaching Program is a space for you to learn and grow while getting one to one support from a ten year cancer thriver. Let's talk about how coaching can help you create abundance in your life with cancer. Schedule a free 30 minute call today to learn more about coaching and how to get started.

Kathryn White is a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach who supports women to turn their cancer diagnosis into a thriving story one woman at a time.