Movement is more than exercise—it’s a powerful tool in cancer recovery and prevention. Research shows that the right exercises can reduce the risk of recurrence, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance overall well-being. Whether you’re a doctor seeking evidence-based guidance or a survivor looking for a path to strength and resilience, this is where your journey begins.
That’s where Cancer Fitness comes in. “Fitness” doesn’t have to mean lifting weights at the gym or training for a race. Programs that encourage movement of any kind can be a game-changing, life-improving step for those impacted by cancer.
Welcome to the world of Cancer Fitness with cancer surgeon and specialist Dr. Jay Harness. With this initiative, Dr. Harness aims to enlighten both patients and doctors about the benefits of exercise as an adjunctive care measure to make cancer recovery a truly positive and meaningful journey.
Cancer Fitness involves individualized tailored exercise programs for those going through cancer treatments and post-treatment survivors. Exercise should be an essential component of every multidisciplinary cancer treatment program.
Regular exercise can significantly enhance both physical and mental health during all stages of treatment, according to multiple studies conducted over decades. An exercise program tailored to your specific needs can help you resume an active lifestyle, even if you were not active before your cancer diagnosis.
Jay K. Harness, MD, FACS, is the Chief Medical Officer at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. He is an emeritus breast surgeon at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA, and Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop, CA. He is a past Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Harness spent 28 years of his career in full-time academic positions.
With Cancer Fitness, Dr. Harness aims to educate patients and doctors about the benefits of exercise as an adjunctive care modality during cancer treatments and therapy. From guidelines for cancer fitness programs to the latest research outcomes in this field, Dr. Harness will be guiding cancer patients and survivors, through this website, on how to reclaim their mind and body during and after their oncology treatments.
Stay up-to-date on ways to improve your life, the lives or your patients, or those of your loved ones. Movement is for everyone, and we are building a community of those who share this belief.
© 2025 Cancer Fitness All rights reserved.
