Immediate Posttreatment Period

The immediate-posttreatment period covers the time period from the completion of primary adjuvant treatment to the first year of recovery. This chapter will provide an overview of the incorporation of exercise into the care and management of cancer survivors during the immediate posttreatment period when it could lessen or ameliorate many of the side effects and symptoms that linger after treatment ends. To effectively and safely program exercise in the immediate posttreatment period, the fitness professional must know the treatment(s) he/she has received and what limitations this may present for their exercise program. Ideally an initial fitness evaluation would be performed to tailor an exercise program to the survivor’s initial exercise capacity. In general, a moderate-intensity aerobic, resistance, or combined aerobic and resistance exercise training program, performed at least three times per week for at least 30 minutes per session, can improve many lingering symptoms, restore physical functioning, and return quality of life during the immediate posttreatment period.