Levels of physical activity among cancer survivors are low, especially for survivors with additional comorbid chronic conditions or who report fair or poor overall health, and survivors living in communities with walking-supportive features reported lower inactivity.
Key Findings
Results
In 2024, an estimated 21.1 million US adults reported a history of cancer, and only 38.0% of cancer survivors were sufficiently active through leisure-time aerobic activity.
Analysis used 2024 National Health Interview Survey data from civilian, noninstitutionalized US adults (sample N = 3,486 cancer survivors).
33.9% (95% CI, 31.9%-35.9%) were inactive (0 minutes/week).
28.1% (95% CI, 26.3%-30.1%) were insufficiently active (1-149 minutes/week of moderate-intensity equivalent).
38.0% (95% CI, 36.0%-40.0%) were sufficiently active (≥150 minutes/week).
Results
Cancer survivors living in communities with features supporting walking reported lower levels of inactivity than survivors in communities without such supports.
The study examined associations between physical activity categories and perceptions of the local walking environment.
Findings suggest the built environment and land use may relate to activity among survivors.
Cross-sectional survey design means the association does not establish causation.
Results
Physical inactivity was higher among cancer survivors with multiple comorbid chronic conditions and those reporting fair or poor overall health.
Estimates were stratified by sociodemographic and health factors.
The authors conclude that physical activity is especially low in survivors with additional comorbid chronic conditions or fair/poor overall health.
Conclusions
The authors conclude that evidence-based interventions addressing land use and environmental design alongside community engagement to promote walking may increase physical activity among cancer survivors.
Background notes physical activity can reduce cancer-specific and all-cause mortality and decrease recurrence risk among survivors.
The study updates estimates of physical activity by sociodemographic and health factors, which were not up to date.
What This Means
This study used a large national health survey from 2024 to look at how much exercise US adults with a history of cancer get. About 21.1 million US adults reported having had cancer. Only about 38% got the recommended 150 or more minutes per week of leisure-time aerobic activity, about 28% got some but not enough, and about 34% got none.
Inactivity was more common among survivors who had multiple other chronic health conditions or who rated their overall health as fair or poor. Survivors who lived in communities with features that support walking reported lower levels of inactivity than those in communities without such features.
This research suggests that many cancer survivors are not getting enough physical activity, and that community design may play a role in helping them be more active. Because the survey captures a single point in time, it cannot show that walkable communities cause more activity. The authors suggest that interventions combining environmental design, land use, and community engagement to promote walking may help.
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Bryant-Genevier J, Boring M, Rohan E, Holman D, Julian A, Bermudez Y, et al.. (2026). Physical Activity and Perceptions of the Community Walking Environment Among Cancer Survivors, National Health Interview Survey, 2024.. Preventing chronic disease. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd23.260220