Advances in childhood cancer treatment and supportive care have contributed to increased survival rates among childhood cancer survivors, with over 80% becoming five-year survivors in high-income countries. Despite increasing survival rates, late-effects of cancer treatment are common with three-quarters of survivors experiencing a chronic illness during survivorship. The most common chronic health conditions experienced by survivors are cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome and secondary cancers. Childhood cancer survivors have also been shown to have reduced cardiovascular fitness compared with age-matched healthy controls, as well as low levels of physical activity. There is support for exercise during and after cancer treatment in adult cancer survivors, including from Australia’s national oncology group Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. However, the evidence and guidelines for CCS is less clear. Recently, the international paediatric oncology exercise guidelines were released by an international group of experts, highlighting the importance of physical activity and movement for all children and adolescents affected by cancer. As children during and after treatment may experience impairments as a result of their treatment and change in lifestyle, tailored exercise programs are likely to assist their return to school and mitigating their risk factors when transitioning into adulthood. This 1 hour webinar will cover background information on the prevalence and considerations for childhood cancer and its associated treatments and complications. It will outline relevant considerations for exercise physiologists including a review of current evidence, overview of clinical research and case studies.
Paediatric Oncology and Exercise Webinar
Online
22/11/2022
