Practitioner Course

The Importance of Physical Activity in Cancer Care

Impact both the survival and quality of life of those with a cancer diagnosis
Format

Online Course
1 lesson

Availability

12 Months OR Subscriber Pass

Duration

1 hour total

Presenter

Dugald Seely

About this course

Exercise isn't just beneficial for cancer patients - it's transformative. Research consistently shows that physical activity directly impacts both survival and quality of life, yet many practitioners are hesitant to discuss it with their patients. This presentation bridges that gap.

Cancer patients who engage in regular physical activity see measurable improvements across multiple areas:

Mental Health: Exercise reduces depression and anxiety while providing patients with an active way to manage the emotional challenges of their diagnosis and treatment.
Physical Recovery: Regular movement enhances immune function, reduces inflammation, and improves the circulation of immune cells - helping patients fight infections and recover more effectively from treatments.
Long-term Outcomes: Active cancer survivors have demonstrably lower recurrence rates and mortality risks compared to those who remain sedentary.
Daily Life: By reducing treatment side effects and maintaining physical function, exercise helps patients preserve their independence and overall quality of life.

This presentation provides practical, evidence-based guidance on integrating exercise into cancer care:

Measuring Exercise Intensity: Learn how to assess and prescribe appropriate activity levels for different patients and treatment stages
Cancer Risk Reduction: Understand the mechanisms by which physical activity prevents cancer and enhances treatment effectiveness
Physiological Effects: Explore the biological pathways through which exercise creates these benefits
Addressing Myths: Identify and counter common misconceptions that prevent patients from embracing physical activity

By the end of this session, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to make exercise a central component of your cancer care discussions. You'll understand not just the "what" but the "why" and "how" of exercise prescription in oncology. This isn't about adding another item to your treatment checklist, it's about equipping yourself with evidence-based strategies that can genuinely improve your patients' outcomes and quality of life.

What you receive:
  • A personalised certificate of completion including continuing education hours
  • Clear protocol explanations from some of the world's top practitioners
  • Clinical pearls for improved practice results
  • Access to your audio and video recordings via the App Store
  • A downloadable PDF of the presenter’s slides
  • Links to all referenced research papers and useful clinical handouts
  • Access to the community hub where you can get answers to your questions

From this course you will learn

  • The types of fitness and exercises: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility
  • How to measure exercise intensity (heart rate, perceived effort, METs, VO2 max)
  • The relationship between physical activity and cancer control, including impacts across the survivorship continuum
  • How physical activity affects cancer risk, recurrence, and survival
  • The benefits of exercise for cancer patients before, during, and after treatment, including symptom control and quality of life improvements
  • How to assess motivation and structure an exercise plan for cancer patients
  • Strategies for behavioural change and maintaining motivation (prompts, cues, rewards)
  • How to customise exercise plans based on individual needs, limitations, and preferences
  • Tools and tests for assessing fitness (e.g., grip strength, balance tests, cardiopulmonary exercise testing)
  • How to track progress and adjust exercise plans over time
  • Medical conditions that may limit or require adaptation of exercise
  • Strategies to mitigate risks such as dizziness, falls, and injury
  • How exercise influences tumour biology (mechanical, metabolic, immune, hormonal, and vascular effects)
  • The role of exercise in reducing inflammation, improving immune surveillance, and enhancing treatment efficacy
  • Techniques for fostering accountability, creativity, and adaptability in exercise prescription
  • Evidence-based targets for aerobic, strength, and balance training in cancer care

What's in this course

Your Presenter

Dugald Seely ND, MSc, FABNO

Dr. Dugald Seely is a leading naturopathic clinician-scientist who has dedicated over two decades to advancing the field of integrative oncology through evidence-based research and clinical practice. Based in Ottawa, Canada, Dr. Seely has been caring for patients and conducting research in the field of integrative and naturopathic oncology for the past 20 years.

Dr. Seely graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003 and completed his MSc in cancer research at the University of Toronto in 2007. He has been a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology since 2012, representing the highest level of certification in naturopathic oncology.

Dr. Seely pioneered an innovative model of cancer care and research through the creation of the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre in 2011, which he expanded through the founding of the Centre for Health Innovation in 2021. Dr. Seely and his team provide naturopathic medicine and whole-person integrative care to people living with chronic disease in a manner that is reflective of the best evidence available.

As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Seely has been awarded over $11 million in competitive grant and trainee funding from prestigious organisations including the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, CIHR, CBCRA, the SickKids Foundation, and the Ottawa Regional healthcare foundations.
Dr. Seely has published over 70 Medline-indexed, peer-reviewed publications and speaks at national and international conferences with the goal of advancing evidence-based integrative cancer care.

Dr. Seely holds several prestigious academic and research positions:
  • Executive Director, Patterson Institute for Integrative Oncology Research at Canadian College of 
  • Investigator with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
  • Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
  • Section Editor for Integrative Oncology with the journal Current Oncology
  • President of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Dr. Seely's comprehensive approach to integrative cancer care encompasses evidence-based interventions including exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle management. His work focuses on improving quality of life for those with cancer and advancing cancer prevention through a combination of approaches including complementary medicine, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle management.

Through his leadership at the Centre for Health Innovation and extensive research background, Dr. Seely brings both clinical expertise and scientific rigour to the understanding of how exercise can be effectively integrated into comprehensive cancer care protocols.
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