S1 Ep217: Integrating Exercise and Lifestyle Intervention Into Oncologic Therapy

About this episode

Nathan Goodyear, MD discusses the role of exercise and lifestyle interventions in cancer treatment.

In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Nathan Goodyear, MD , spoke about the role that exercise and lifestyle intervention can play in the treatment of patients with cancer. He described how prescribed exercise may serve as a biologically interventional therapy that can help prolong longevity, reduce the risk of recurrence; and supplement the efficacy of standard therapeutic approaches like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Goodyear, an integrative medicine physician at the Williams Cancer Institute, pointed to literature indicating the potential benefits of structured exercise programs across different cancer populations. For example, data from the phase 3 CHALLENGE trial (NCT00819208) highlighted a lower risk of death and reduced recurrence following a 3-year structured program among patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the OPTIMUS trial (NCT02950324) demonstrated that a short-term exercise program that takes place before surgery or alongside chemotherapy can increase CD8-positive T-cell infiltration while decreasing immunosuppressive cells, effectively turning “cold” tumors “hot.” Additionally, Goodyear addressed some preconceptions…

People in this episode

Guest: Nathan Goodyear, MD

Topics covered

• exercise in cancer treatment
• lifestyle intervention
• oncologic therapy
• integrative medicine
• patient care
• structured exercise programs

Keywords

• exercise therapy
• cancer treatment
• longevity
• recurrence risk
• chemotherapy
• immunotherapy
• structured programs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CancerNetwork, Williams Cancer Institute

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