Exercise Oncology

An Australian is diagnosed with cancer every 4 minutes. One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Advances in anti-cancer treatments mean that more people with cancer are living longer, but many people aren’t living as well as they could be. Cancer and its treatment can cause serious, long-term health problems that compromise quality of life and can contribute to a premature loss of independence.

The Exercise Oncology Team at MMIHR team conducts research focused on the prevention and management of adverse effects of cancer. We seek to address significant challenges that current knowledge and practice is failing to effectively manage, and strive to improve the delivery of care for the significant and distressing side effects caused by cancer and its treatment. Our goal is to enhance outcomes for people with cancer by developing and evaluating interventions that improve physical, mental and social wellbeing. The main focus of our work within this theme is the application of exercise as medicine for the management of cancer.

Our work in this area is internationally recognised and has been the subject of numerous awards, presentations (including a TED talk) and media stories.