There are many benefits to exercise during cancer treatment. Some of these include: Improve how treatment works and reduce treatment side effects. In general, exercise can improve the body's response to treatment, no matter the stage or type of cancer. Regular exercise has been shown to: Reduce treatment-related fatigue....Maintain heart and lung fitness, physical ability, and strength May reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and improve quality of life After surgery for lung cancer, decrease the amount of recovery time needed in the hospital....In some studies, exercise has also been associated with better survival rates for certain cancers, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer. If you are having side effects from cancer or its treatment, it is important to take safety precautions while exercising. You may have to change your exercise plan depending on your specific side effects. For example, if treatment is affecting the nerves in your hands, weight machines may be safer to use than hand weights. Or if treatment has caused bone loss, ask about avoiding exercises that put strain on the neck and raise the risk of falling. Sometime exercise is done as part of a cancer rehabilitation program. It is important to understand the difference between exercise and cancer rehabilitation. Cancer rehabilitation is a comprehensive treatment program that helps a person regain or maintain their ability to function during and after cancer treatment. Sometimes a person may need cancer rehabilitation to build strength and balance before being able to safely exercise on their own. The exercises included in an overall cancer rehabilitation plan are therapies used to address specific health and movement issues.