Exercise as medicine in cancer care

September 23, 2026

Gippslanders living with cancer can now access specialised exercise programs as part of their cancer care, through a new service at Latrobe Regional Health.

The new Exercise Medicine (Oncology) Service supports people’s strength, function and wellbeing throughout their cancer care.

LRH was highlighting the new service for World Clinical Exercise Physiology Day on September 23, which recognises the role of clinical exercise physiologists in healthcare.

It provides individualised exercise prescriptions based on each person’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, health, physical capacity and goals.

Glengarry woman Deb Gilmore has been in the program after she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2025.

Deb has spruiked the benefits such as helping to motivate her to keep moving as she recovers.

She said regular telehealth consultations also enable her to carry-on her program at home without having to travel to LRH.

“I’ve noticed a real difference in my strength and energy, and I’m more confident about what my body can do,” Deb said.

“Having someone who understands what I’m going through and can tailor the exercise to where I’m at has made such a difference.”

LRH Senior Exercise Physiologist Rahchell Cornish said exercise was an important part of cancer care.

“We assess each person and prescribe exercise specifically for them, taking into account their treatment, symptoms, fitness, strength and what they want to be able to do,” Rahchell said.

“For some people, that might be maintaining their strength throughout their treatment.

“For others, it might be building their confidence and physical capacity so they can get back to the things they enjoy.”

The service is the first of its kind at LRH and was established through a Gippsland Regional Integrated Cancer Services grant.

It builds on 20-years of cancer care in Gippsland, helping people access high-quality, compassionate cancer treatment and support closer to home.

Recent Deloitte Access Economics modelling estimates that exercise physiology for people with cancer could prevent more than 9,000 hospital admissions nationally over three years, alongside reductions in emergency department presentations, specialist appointments and GP visits.