An Introduction To Possibilities
A thriving lifestyle is still possible—even after a cancer diagnosis. While the journey can feel overwhelming and isolating, exercise offers a way to regain control.
For years, exercise has been recommended to reduce cancer risk and recurrence, and for those in remission post-treatment. Yet, many hesitate—strenuous activity can feel daunting.
Exercise Oncology takes this further. It promotes low-impact, effective movement tailored to improve quality of life during and after treatment.
Whether you’re facing cancer, supporting someone who is, a survivor, or a healthcare provider, we invite you to explore this page, access helpful resources, and book a 20-minute call with founder Jay Harness to discuss your questions personally.
Our Mission
Cancer Fitness is dedicated to advancing exercise oncology through evidence-based education, compassionate guidance, and inspiring survivor stories.
Our Vision
We empower patients and healthcare providers both locally and globally to integrate exercise into cancer treatment protocols to ultimately improve quality of life and outcomes.
Purpose of Cancer Fitness Programs
This website is dedicated to cancer patients and physicians to get the information they need to take advantage of the transformational potential of exercise during their primary treatment regime and their long-term survivorship.
Exercise is essential to all-encompassing cancer care since it improves quality of life, mental and physical health, resilience, and hope.
In promoting cancer fitness programs, the aim is not to train people to participate in competitive athletic events. It is to simply try to get people to move in a way that increases heart rate and strengthens muscle groups.
What do we mean by "FITNESS"?
While we focus on the ‘movement’ element of fitness a lot, there are other elements to fitness worth addressing:
- Diet
- Emotional Support
- Social / Spiritual Connections
Learn more about “Emotional Reconstruction®” for cancer patients and survivors here
The Man Behind Cancer Fitness
Cancer is a common word in my family:
- Father and Uncle diagnosed with prostate cancer
- Father’s sister passed away from leukemia
- My late wife passed away from a rare form cancer
- Many beloved friends have lost their battles to various cancers.
As a cancer surgeon, seeing my dear ones suffer not only during their treatment but also long after, has left me with an indomitable resolve to seek out other methods of adjunctive care. This has led me to research the health benefits of cancer fitness.
The major “turning point” for me over these past 5 years has been my exposure to the extensive amount of scientific evidence found in the world of Exercise Oncology. The science is irrefutable! With the right guidance, you can also help cancer patients enhance their quality of life. They can rise above the anxiety and fear in their cancer journey to enjoy their lives more fully.
About Dr. Jay Harness
Meet Dr. Jay Harness, MD, FACS, the founder of Cancer Fitness and Chief Medical Officer at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. A former Clinical Professor of Surgery at UC Irvine and an emeritus breast surgeon at Providence St. Joseph and Northern Inyo Hospital.
Key Highlights:
- 28 years of full-time academic positions
• Past President of American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS), American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES), and Breast Surgery International (BSI) - Member of multiple national and international surgical societies
- Published 100+ scientific articles and book chapters
- Author of Breast Cancer Answers and Operative Approaches to Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
- Editor of three medical textbooks
- Co-founder & Medical Director of Breast Cancer Answers, a social media platform supporting breast cancer patients and families.
Career Milestones
1965-1975
Ann Arbor
Dr. Harness received both his MD degree and training in general surgery at the University of Michigan Medical Center
1975-1989
Ann Arbor
Taught on the faculty at Michigan and developed one of the first United States academic multidisciplinary breast cancer centers
1989 - 1991
Boston
Spent two years at Tufts University School of Medicine and established a multidisciplinary breast cancer center at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
1991-2003
Oakland, CA
2003-2021
Orange CA, Bishop CA
Established two more multidisciplinary breast cancer programs—at Providence St. Joseph Hospital and Northern Inyo Hospital
A Lifetime of Dedication
- Awards and Recognition
National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) Career Impact Award for his long
and distinguished contributions to improving the care of breast cancer patients.
2024
Best Doctor in America® Award
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015-16, 2017-18
Super Doctor Award, Key Professional Media Inc. of Minneapolis
2012
Orange County Physician of Excellence Award
2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017
Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation (Outstanding Alumnus Award)
2003
Marriott Service Excellence Award, 1st Prize in Patient Service Category for the Cancer Navigator Program at Highland Hospital
1996
Medal of the Danish Surgical Society
1990
Philosophy
Exercise is not only important for cancer patients pre-, during, and post-treatment, but also for long-term survivorship. Regular exercise has also been documented to help prevent cancers in the first place. This seems to be particularly true for breast cancer and colon cancer
Sedentary lifestyles, in both the United States and internationally, are contributing to the increased incidence of cancer globally. Regular exercise is a beautiful antidote to the sedentary lifestyles that are sweeping the globe.
If exercise could be consumed as a 'pill', everyone would be taking 1 or 2 pills every day of their life! The benefits of exercise for cancer patients are enormous. One of the greatest benefits is improving their 'quality of life'.
