The Role of Exercise Interventions in Reducing the Risk for Cardiometabolic Disease in Cancer Survivors

Abstract

The leading cause of death in developed countries is cancer, influenced by negative lifestyle factors including obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and addictive habits such as smoking and alcohol. These established cancer-promoting behaviors are also well-known causative factors of cardiac disease and cardiometabolic syndrome. While improved treatments have led to improved cancer-specific outcomes, many cancer survivors are now at increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, as a result of pre-existing cardiometabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic toxicities of anti-cancer therapies. In the cardiology discipline, exercise therapy has a proven role in disease rehabilitation and risk reduction. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential role of exercise interventions in risk reduction of cardiometabolic disease in adult cancer survivors.