Exercise for Cancer

(PAC ICare Trial)

Participants preparing for surgery, a minimum 3-week prehabilitation intervention will be implemented to optimize physical functioning prior to the surgical procedure. Supervised exercise sessions will be delivered 2-3 times per week throughout the pre-surgical intervention, with participants encouraged to engage in 30 minutes of walking on non-supervised days. Individuals undergoing neoadjuvant therapy will continue participating in the exercise program up to the date of surgery, up to a maximum duration of 12 weeks of supervised exercise programming.

Participants who have completed treatment will engage in a progressively tapered exercise program. This program will involve supervised sessions 3 times per week during the initial four weeks, followed by 2 sessions per week for the subsequent four weeks, and 1 session per week for the remaining 12 weeks. Participants will be encouraged to walk 30 minutes/day on non-supervised exercise days. The final four weeks will emphasize the transition toward independent exercise participation, incorporating self-monitoring strategies and mid-month (week 14) check-in to address any emerging concerns and support appropriate adjustments to the program.

Participants receiving adjuvant therapy who are not scheduled for surgery, as well as those who have recovered from surgery, will be enrolled in a 12-week exercise intervention. Supervised sessions will be delivered 2 times per week and an independent walking program of 30 minutes/day on non-supervised exercise days will be encouraged.