Exercise as a stress buffer in cancer patients: a review of the mechanisms and psychological outcomes

Background: Cancer diagnosis and treatment impose significant psychological stress on patients, which can negatively impact treatment adherence and overall quality of life. Exercise has emerged as a potential stress buffer against this stress, providing both psychological and physiological benefits; Objective: The aim of this article is to conduct an integrative review that summarizes the mechanisms through which exercise alleviates stress in cancer patients and the associated psychological outcomes; Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases for systematic reviews published up to October 2024. Additionally, a manual search of reference lists was performed; Results: By reviewing the existing literature, we found that exercise can enhance the psychological well-being of cancer patients by modulating physiological and psychological stress responses, thereby reducing their overall stress levels; Conclusions: The evidence indicates promising trends regarding the use of exercise as a potential intervention for enhancing cognitive function following cancer and cancer its treatment. However, questions persist concerning the type of exercise, timing of initiation, intensity, frequency, and duration. We examine the role of exercise in modulating stress hormones, immune function, and inflammation, as well as its effects on mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being. The paper concludes with recommendations for incorporating exercise into cancer care and outlines directions for future research.