Jay Harness, Chief Medical Officer at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, shared on LinkedIn:
“How We Talk About Exercise Matters: A New Roadmap for Exercise Oncology Programs
For years, research has demonstrated that physical activity improves outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.
Yet despite overwhelming scientific evidence, many cancer patients remain inactive, not because they don’t care, but because they are uncertain, fearful, overwhelmed, or simply don’t know where to begin.
A new JAMA Insights article, Communicating With Patients About Physical Activity, shifts the conversation from what clinicians should recommend to how they should communicate those recommendations.
The publication provides practical, evidence-based guidance that is directly applicable to every Exercise Oncology Program.
Exercise Counseling Is a Clinical Skill–
The authors emphasize that discussing physical activity should begin by asking permission rather than giving instructions. Instead of saying:
‘You need to exercise more.’
Clinicians should ask: ‘Would it be okay if we talked about physical activity today?’
This simple change transforms exercise from another medical directive into a collaborative discussion that respects the patient’s goals, values, and readiness for change.
The article also reminds clinicians that inactivity often reflects real barriers, including fatigue, pain, transportation, finances, lack of confidence, or limited social support, not a lack of motivation.
Every Movement Counts–
One of the most important messages is that patients do not need to become athletes.
The authors distinguish physical activity from exercise. Walking the dog, climbing stairs, gardening, and household chores all contribute to better health.
Patients who believe exercise only means structured gym workouts often become discouraged before they even begin.
Equally important is the reminder that any increase in activity is beneficial. Even small increases in daily movement improve health outcomes.
For many cancer patients, particularly those receiving chemotherapy, recovering from surgery, or living with metastatic disease, the best exercise prescription is to start low, progress slowly, and find an activity level that is challenging but tolerable.
Behavior Change Is More Important Than Motivation-
The article reviews evidence supporting practical behavioral strategies that help patients become more active, including:
- Self-monitoring with activity logs or wearable devices
- Setting realistic, behavior-focused goals
- Providing regular feedback
- Celebrating small successes rather than perfection
Patients are more likely to remain physically active when they participate with others through:
- supervised exercise programs
- walking groups
- community fitness classes
- peer support
- social prescribing by healthcare professionals
Other articles featuring Jay Harness on OncoDaily.