Neglected no more: why exercise interventions for older cancer survivors in Latin America are paramount

Cancer incidence rates are rising in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly among individuals over the age of 60. While treatment advances have improved patient survival, considerable efforts are still required to enhance other aspects of care following a cancer diagnosis. Despite growing evidence of the benefits of exercise interventions during the post-diagnosis period, older adults remain significantly underrepresented in related research. In fact, we found no studies that specifically examine the effects of exercise exclusively in adults over 60 years of age. Moreover, some studies have used this age threshold as an exclusion criterion. In light of these findings, we underscore the urgent need to include older adults with cancer in exercise interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean. The potential benefits of exercise for this population are supported by evidence from broader age groups and international research on older cancer survivors. These include the development of tailored intervention programs, an approach based on geriatric medicine, strategies to enhance adherence, education for patients and their support networks, and addressing the unique challenges faced by older cancer survivors.