Currently, there are approximately 18 million cancer survivors in the U.S., and according to the National Cancer Institute that number is expected to increase to 20.3 million by 2026. Cancer treatments result in many acute, chronic, or late-appearing toxicities that can negatively impact the quality of life of those living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Over the past two decades, convincing evidence has emerged on the ability of exercise and physical activity programs to provide significant physical and psychological benefits, reduce many cancer treatment side effects, and potentially reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
The American College of Sports Medicine® (ACSM) Cancer Exercise Trainer certification program has now been revised and expanded, in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and CanRehab®. This new ACSM-ACS Cancer Exercise Specialist Course is designed to increase the number of competent practitioners able to provide advice and deliver safe, effective and individualized exercise and physical activity programs based on the most current evidence.
Who Would Benefit From Taking This Course?
The ACSM-ACS Cancer Exercise Specialist Course is for healthcare and fitness practitioners looking to provide safe, effective and individualized exercise programs to anyone living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis.
- Certified and other fitness professionals, especially those holding Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP®) and Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP®) certifications, who work with those affected by cancer
- Allied health professionals, including (but not limited to) physical therapists and their assistants, rehabilitation therapists, nurses and nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants who specialize in working with clients with cancer
Learning Objectives
- Understand the basics of cancer biology, epidemiology, cancer classification and screening for the most common cancers
- Understand the names and procedures involved in the current treatments for the most prevalent cancers including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal treatment, immunotherapy and biological targeted treatments
- Understand the acute, chronic and late-appearing side effects and toxicities of cancer treatments and their impacts on exercise prescription
- Understand the strength of the evidence on the benefits of exercise training during the cancer trajectory, with reference to clinical outcomes and specific treatment related outcomes
- Understand how to screen clients using a triage system, assess fitness levels and stratify risk to provide individual and safe exercise prescriptions
- Understand the current behavior change techniques, barriers and incentives that are proven to help motivate people affected by cancer to become or stay active
- Understand practical programming and communication factors to consider when working with patients and survivors of cancer
