Cancer Survivors Less Likely to Be Physically Active, Study Finds

In Brief

• Cancer survivors were less likely to be physically active than adults without a cancer history, although activity increased among both groups from 2018-2024.

• Physical activity can provide important benefits after a cancer diagnosis.

• Researchers encourage individualized recommendations and greater support from healthcare providers and caregivers to help survivors stay active.

Adults with a history of cancer are less likely to be physically active than those without a cancer history, finds a new study from Washington University in St. Louis.

The study, “Trends in Physical Activity by Cancer History in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults,” published in the journal AJPM Focus, analyzed data from more than 2 million U.S. adults collected from 2018-2024.

Researchers from the Brown School and Bursky School of Public Health found that physical activity increased among both groups during the study period, but cancer survivors consistently reported lower levels of physical activity.

U.S. guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week for adults. But the researchers emphasize that physical activity recommendations for cancer survivors should be individualized based on their health, abilities and treatment effects.

Kim Johnson, a professor at the Brown School and co-author of the study, said the goal should be to help survivors find activity they can safely incorporate into their lives.

“The American Cancer Society recommends regular physical activity for cancer survivors, but these recommendations are not a one-size-fits-all and are customized to each person’s health, abilities, treatment effects, symptoms and side effects,” Johnson said. “For some survivors, that may mean training for a 5K, but for others it may mean gentle movement or a short walk.”

References:

1. Eyler, Amy. Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Accessed September 24, 2026. Brown School faculty profile — Amy Eyler

2. Johnson, Kim. Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Accessed September 24, 2026. Brown School faculty profile — Kim Johnson

(Newswise/APC)