Exercises for Lung Cancer Patients in London

Improved Survival and Reduced Recurrence

Structured exercise programmes improve disease free survival and reduce the risk of cancer coming back. The evidence is clear: this is therapy, not lifestyle advice.

Reduced Fatigue During Treatment

Fatigue is the most common side effect of treatment, and exercise is the most effective way to manage it. You will have more energy and greater capacity to get through each day.

Faster Recovery and Shorter Hospital Stays

Exercising before surgery reduces postoperative complications by up to 50% and shortens your time in hospital, helping you get home and back on your feet sooner.

Better Tolerance of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

Patients who exercise regularly tolerate higher doses with fewer delays. It gives your oncologist the best conditions to deliver your treatment as planned.

Stronger Lungs and Improved Breathing

Exercise counteracts the decline in lung capacity that treatment can cause. Over time, you will notice less breathlessness and greater ease with the activities that matter to you.

Improved Mood and Quality of Life

Exercise lifts mood, reduces anxiety, restores confidence, and gives you back a sense of control. The benefits extend well beyond the physical.

Preparing Your Body for What Lies Ahead

• Fewer post-operative complications. Structured exercise before surgery prepares your body to handle the physical stress of the procedure.

• Faster recovery and discharge. Pre surgical exercise combined with good nutrition shortens hospital stays and minimises recovery time.

• Improved lung function. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness before lung cancer surgery is strongly linked to better postoperative recovery and longer survival.

Proposed Mechanisms Through Which Exercise Supports Health Outcomes

• Improved drug delivery. Exercise helps normalises tumour blood vessels, improving blood flow and enhancing delivery of chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells.

• Reduced immune function decline. Exercise can help mobilise Natural Killer cells, T lymphocytes, and macrophages which may infiltrate tumours to aid in their destruction.

• Reduced tumour hypoxia. By improving oxygen delivery, exercise can help to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Comprehensive Assessment

• Cancer type, stage and treatment timeline
• Current cardiovascular and muscular fitness
• Symptoms, side effects and limitations
• Baseline strength, balance and breathing tests

Individualised Prescription

• Tailored to your specific cancer type
• Calibrated to your fitness level
• Built around a start low, go slow approach
• Adjusted for fatigue and nausea as needed

Monitoring and Progression

• Adjusted as your health changes
• Intensity increased as you improve
• Progress tracked at every session
• Goals reset at each stage

Working With Your Oncologist

• Works directly with Dr James Wilson
• Integrated with your treatment plan
• Shared clinical communication
• Seamless NHS and private coordination

Optimal

150 mins moderate OR 75 mins vigorous per week

Examples

Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, elliptical

Intensity

Moderate (RPE 4 to 6) or vigorous (RPE 6 to 8)

Benefits

Cardiovascular fitness, oxygen delivery, less fatigue

Optimal

2 to 3 sessions per week at moderate intensity

Examples

Legs, chest, back, shoulders and core

Intensity

1 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps for major muscle groups

Benefits

Muscle preservation, bone density, combats sarcopenia

Optimal

2 to 3 times per week as required

Examples

Yoga, Pilates, stretching and balance exercises

Intensity

Range of motion, fall prevention, independence

Benefits

Post surgery and for patients at risk of falls