Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Does exercise improve survival after a cancer diagnosis? A living systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (146329)

Rosa R Spence 1 , Brooke P Baker 1 , Melanie L Plinsinga 2 , Lizzy A Johnston 1 , Susannah K Ayre 1 , Jason A Martin 3 , Kerry S Courneya 4 , Christine M Friedenreich 5 , Sandi C Hayes 2
  1. Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  2. Population Health, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
  4. Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  5. Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Introduction: This project aims to (1) assess the effect of exercise interventions on cancer survival using data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and (2) establish an open-access, continuously updated resource synthesising evidence on exercise and cancer survival.

Methods: A systematic search for this living review (PROSPERO: CRD420251081208) was conducted in July 2026 to identify RCTs evaluating the effect of exercise interventions on survival outcomes in adults diagnosed with cancer. Studies were screened for eligibility and data extracted by two reviewers. Risk of bias and evidence quality will be independently completed by two reviewers, with integrity and trustworthiness assessed by one author. Random-effects models were used to generate pooled hazard ratio (HR) estimates for overall survival and other survival outcomes. When sufficient data exists, subgroup analyses will explore whether participant and intervention characteristics modify effect.

Results: 26,178 studies were retrieved, with 12 eligible trials identified. These trials included 4,728 participants with stage 1-4 haematological, breast, lung, colon, ovarian, or oesophageal cancers, lymphoma, or mixed cohorts. Interventions were delivered during treatment (n=1), post-treatment (n=1), or across both periods (n=10), with durations ranging from 12 weeks to 3 years. Interventions involved aerobic exercise only (n=6) or combined aerobic and resistance exercise (n=6). Ten trials included unsupervised exercise. Median follow-up was 5 years (range: 0.5-8). Pooled analysis indicates improved overall survival in exercise versus control groups (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62-0.93; p=0.01).

Conclusion: Findings to date supports exercise as a means of improving overall survival following cancer. However, more research is needed to improve confidence around the magnitude of effect and consistency of results by cancer type and type and timing of intervention. This living review will provide researchers, clinicians, and consumers with real-time, interactive access to evolving evidence on exercise and cancer survival, supporting evidence-based decision-making and accelerating research translation.