Rehabilitation in Cancer Survivors: Interaction between Lifestyle and Physical Activity

Abstract

Cancer survivors are exposed to greater risk than the general population for several diseases: second primary and/or recurring cancer, sarcopenic obesity, metabolic syndrome and the related cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, decreased fatigue endurance, accelerated functional impairment and postural dysfunction; this is due to many factors, not only chemo/radiotherapy for cancer treatment and genetic predisposition, but also inappropriate lifestyle behaviour. The main interest of research on survival should be focused on the identification of the interventions capable of preventing premature mortality and on improving the patient's quality of life (QoL). Rehabilitating exercise and physical activity are effective tools to reach this goal, especially if combined with an appropriate lifestyle tailored to the individual needs, to provide a new comprehensive welfare model developed under the oncologist's supervision.