We've known for a while that exercise is beneficial for survival after diagnosis with breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, reducing the risk of death from breast cancer by 42%, colorectal cancer by 30%, and prostate cancer by 33%.

We've also learned that exercise can help anyone who has or has had bladder, endometrial, lung, ovarian, oral, or rectal cancer.

And as of January 1, 2025, about one in 18 Americans — that's around 19 million people — was a cancer survivor.

In addition, If you’re diagnosed with cancer, one way to increase longevity is to get plenty of physical activity.

Research published in JAMA Network Open found that 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week measurably helped reduce the risk of death for people who'd been diagnosed with bladder, endometrial, and lung cancers.

And survivors of ovarian, oral, and rectal cancers saw meaningful benefits from exercise when they spent more time and did more intense workouts.

For example, the most effective way for survivors of oral and rectal cancers to reduce their risk of death was to get double the recommended 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise weekly.

You can also use exercise to reduce your risk of getting cancer. A recent study found that those who got the most daily physical activity had a 26% lower risk of developing cancer that those getting the least amount.