Brisk walking beneficial to cancer patients

Walking could cut the chance of recurrent cancers by up to half, Macmillan Cancer Support has claimed.

The charity, which works with patients currently undergoing treatment, has claimed that simple exercises - like brisk walking - could cut the chance of bowel cancers returning by up to half. Recurrent breast cancer, meanwhile, could be cut by up to a third with regular exercise, stv.tv reports.

Furthermore, regular exercise has been shown to help beat depression in cancer patients, as well as ease muscle wasting and reduce fatigue.

Despite what Macmillan calls the "wonder drug" effects of exercise, however, research has found that few doctors suggest it to their patients.

In a poll commissioned by Macmillan and undertaken by YouGov, just one fifth of doctors said they advise patients to undertake exercise, whilst 37 per cent of sufferers claimed they have undertaken no exercise whatsoever during treatment.

Speaking to telegraph.co.uk of the results, chief medical officer at Macmillan Jane Maher explained: "As a cancer specialist it's hard to encourage people to think about fitness during and after gruelling cancer treatment.

"It's easier to tell people to rest. But increasingly, many patients will need our help to bust the myth that resting up is always the right thing to do, so they do not miss out on the 'wonder drug' of exercise, which can make all the difference to recovery."