Fitness and muscle strength could halve cancer patient deaths, study suggests

Cancer patients with good muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were 31-46% less likely to die, the research found. Photograph: Rick Lewis/Alamy

Muscular strength and good physical fitness could almost halve the risk of cancer patients dying from their disease, according to a study that suggests tailored exercise plans may increase survival.

The likelihood of people dying from their cancer has decreased significantly in recent decades owing to greater awareness of symptoms, and better access to treatment and care.