Effective Exercise Interventions for Patients and Survivors of Cancer Should be Supervised, Targeted, and Prescribed With Referrals From Oncologists and General Physicians

Abstract

TO THE EDITOR: We agree with Hardcastle and Cohen1 that physical activity is important for patients and survivors of cancer, and that the oncology specialist is ideally suited to promote this message. Indeed, a key strategy in cancer management is the increased awareness by medical and health professionals who support patients with cancer and survivors that physical activity and exercise is a critical component of patient care and a necessary intervention to improve health outcomes; however, the recommendations by Hardcastle and Cohen1 for implementation are an oversimplification that may adversely impact the integration of exercise medicine into best practice management of cancer.