Oncology and lifestyles

Can moving after skin cancer help you live longer? Science says 'yes'

Physical activity as part of the treatment even if introduced after the disease: this is the encouraging conclusion reached by the all-Italian meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the Ieo in Milan and published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology

by Maria Rita Montebelli

16 March 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

When it comes to prevention and health, exercising is almost always among the first pieces of advice. But can it make a difference even after a skin cancer diagnosis? According to a meta-analysis published as a 'letter' in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, the answer seems to be yes: moving regularly could significantly increase survival.

The study, carried out by Alessandra Picelli of the University of Florence and Aurora Gaeta of the European Institute of Oncology (Ieo) in Milan, analysed the data available in recent years to understand whether and how much an active lifestyle affects the disease's progress.

The Studio

The authors of the study reviewed seven studies published between 2017 and 2025, conducted in countries as diverse as Norway, the Netherlands, the United States and Sweden. The studies covered from a few hundred to over 28,000 patients with skin cancers (cutaneous melanoma and 'non-melanoma' skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and spinocellular carcinoma), followed for periods of up to 16 years.

The take home message contained in the result of this extensive analysis is clear: people with skin cancer who were more physically active had a 31% increase in overall survival (OS) compared to those who were less active. More specifically, there was a reduction in mortality from both cancer and other causes, which is not surprising because consistent physical activity also benefits against other health problems that may accompany or follow the disease.

Timing matters

One of the most interesting results of the meta-analysis concerns the timing of physical activity: starting after the diagnosis of skin cancer seems to have an even greater effect than being active earlier. In fact, patients who started or intensified physical activity after discovering the disease showed a more pronounced improvement in survival.

And this suggests an encouraging message: even if you have never been particularly sporty, it is never too late to start. Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, but 'non-melanoma' tumours, while often less dangerous, are also extremely common.

The assumptions in the field

But how is it that physical activity can also be beneficial in this patient population? Observational studies cannot prove a cause-and-effect relationship with certainty, but scientists have hypothesised a number of mechanisms. Exercise may improve immune system function and synergiise the effect of immunotherapy, reduce chronic inflammation and metabolic stress (related to progression and mortality in several types of cancer), help control weight, blood pressure and blood sugar, and finally, improve tolerance to cancer treatments.

In short, a more active physique may be more resilient against both cancer and other diseases.

The limits of meta-analysis

This is certainly interesting work but with all the limitations of meta-analyses and observational studies. In many of the studies considered, physical activity was self-reported by means of questionnaires filled in by patients (and not measured objectively, e.g. with an accelerometer). Furthermore, no randomised clinical trials on this topic are available to date, the only ones able to demonstrate a cause-effect relationship.

Despite these limitations, however, the results of this meta-analysis are encouraging. The authors of the study suggest that physical activity could be a simple, safe and low-cost intervention to integrate into the treatment and follow-up programmes of patients who have had skin cancer.

In short, it may be worthwhile to flank cancer therapies with an active lifestyle. Regular walking, cycling, light swimming or gentle exercise can already make a difference. Even after skin cancer, in short, movement can become part of the cure.

The study was partly financed by funds from the 5 per mille of the Ministry of Health.