Global evidence is mounting that personalised exercise programmes can boost confidence and wellbeing for people undergoing cancer treatment, ease treatment-related side effects – and may even improve survival rates.
It is evidence that University of Otago, Christchurch, cancer researcher Associate Professor Marg Currie (Mackenzie Cancer Research Group) believes is too compelling to ignore.
"Worldwide, the body of clinical research backing exercise as an important addition to cancer treatment is now so strong, we here in Aotearoa New Zealand really need to sit up and take note," Marg says.
"Currently, New Zealanders undergoing treatment for cancer are failing to meet international standards for exercise post diagnosis and are therefore missing out on an integral part of their cancer care – hence why our group has decided to act."
The group, Cancer Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Aotearoa (CPRA), was established by Marg to specifically champion the use of personalised exercise – "exercise oncology" – as an integral part of cancer care nationwide.
Formed last year, CPRA now operates under the umbrella of the Christchurch Health Precinct – Te Papa Hauora. The group has clear goals: to establish exercise programmes for both prehabilitation (preparing individuals for surgery and/or treatment) and rehabilitation (supporting recovery and survivorship).
"We're now working with Te Papa Hauora and the Christchurch City Council to establish a structured and supervised pilot exercise programme to be up and running next year, based at the soon-to-be opened, central city, Parakiore Sports and Recreation Centre," Marg explains.
The idea for CPRA grew from a 2021 feasibility study led by clinical exercise physiologist Dr Jess Allan, as part of her Cancer Society Southern-funded PhD. Co-supervised by Marg, the study tested a 12-week structured exercise programme for patients undergoing chemotherapy for early-stage breast and colon cancers.
"Some said it gave them a sense of control… Others rated it life changing as it gave them a sense of purpose and achievement at a time when they were vulnerable and physically fragile." - Associate Professor Marg Currie
Results showed that not only was such a programme feasible – with high patient recruitment, completion and adherence rates – but, upon completion, patients achieved improved flexibility and reported increased wellbeing, energy and physical function.
"Most importantly, the patients loved the programme and found it really supportive during their treatment," Marg says.
"Some said it gave them a sense of control over what was happening to them at a time when they didn't feel they had much control over anything. Others rated it life changing as it gave them a sense of purpose and achievement at a time when they were vulnerable and physically fragile."
The success of this feasibility study – and the enthusiasm of cancer clinicians and healthcare workers they met along the way – lit a spark, leading to the formation of the CPRA group and their plans to advance exercise oncology programmes and research.
The CPRA now has a Steering Group, chaired by Marg – including Jess, recently-retired University of Otago Faculty of Medicine, Christchurch, medical oncologist Professor Bridget Robinson, cancer rehabilitation physiotherapist Susan Larson, University of Canterbury exercise physiology researcher Professor Nick Draper, and University of Canterbury oncology nursing researcher Kate Reid.
It also boasts an Advisory Committee and wider multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, cancer nurses, exercise physiologists, cancer care providers and cancer researchers. Funding support has come from the Cancer Society Southern and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, but the group is now looking for funding more widely.
Plans for further studies are underway, including a Health Research Council-funded prehabilitation exercise programme for wāhine Māori with symptomatic breast cancer (initially starting in Auckland and Waikato) and another trial, awaiting approval, involving patients with prostate cancer. The CPRA also hopes to develop opportunities for student education, clinical placements and postgraduate research projects.
"We still have so much to learn and many questions to answer," Marg says.
"We know that with exercise, one size does not fit all, so how do we prescribe exercise programmes effectively before, during and after treatment, and then tailor them to maximise benefit for people with different cancer types and stages?"
It is a challenge the CPRA is keen to help meet.
"Our ultimate goal is to expand our collaborative into a Centre of Excellence – providing personalised exercise prescriptions, specialist physiotherapy treatment, nutritional advice, psychological support, and health navigators to help guide patients through their treatment plans."
– Kōrero by Lorelei Mason
This story first appeared in He Kitenga 2025 – Impacts. He Kitenga is the University of Otago's flagship research publication, which showcases the University's cutting-edge research and explores how it is making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders.
