The Role of Exercise in Mitigating Cancer Treatment Side Effects: A Comprehensive Review

Cancer treatments, while life-saving, often cause debilitating side effects that impair patients’ quality of life. This review synthesizes current evidence on the role of exercise in mitigating treatment-related toxicities, including fatigue, neuropathy, cognitive decline, and musculoskeletal complications. Findings demonstrate that structured exercise interventions incorporating aerobic, resistance, and mind-body modalities effectively reduce symptom severity, enhance physical function, and improve psychological well-being across diverse cancer types and treatment phases. Biological mechanisms include modulation of inflammation, immune function, and metabolic health. Despite robust evidence, implementation challenges persist, including limited referral pathways and inadequate institutional support. The narrative review highlights the need for standardized exercise oncology protocols integrated into clinical practice to optimize patient outcomes. Future research should focus on personalized prescriptions, long-term adherence strategies, and the potential synergistic effects of exercise with emerging therapies.