Can you share the main findings from your lung cancer research? 

The main findings of my research are that exercise is safe, feasible and beneficial across lung cancer stages (including early-stage, pre- or post-surgery and in advanced disease). 

Pre-operatively, exercise helps prevent post-operative pulmonary complications. 

Post-operatively it enhances recovery from surgery. 

In those who are inoperable, it helps with improving or preserving physical function and quality of life. 

Therefore, exercise should form an integral component of comprehensive lung cancer care. 

Further, my research demonstrated that people with lung cancer are highly sedentary and inactive. 

For those with inoperable disease we have shown that even modest amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity matter for increased survival. 

Vin Cavalheri will be presenting a keynote presentation on his research at APASC25.

What impact do you think the National Lung Cancer Screening program will have on the role of physiotherapists in clinical practice? 

The rollout of Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening program represents a landmark shift that will likely expand the role of physiotherapists across the spectrum of lung cancer care. 

Early detection often leads to surgical interventions, where prehabilitation and postoperative rehabilitation are crucial. 

Physiotherapists may also increasingly engage in pre-screening consultations, offering guidance on physical activity and smoking cessation advice—thereby complementing screening programs already focused on behavioural change. 

Further, low-dose CT scans as part of the screening program can reveal far more than just lung cancer. 

Evidence for chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and others may be found, increasing demand for pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise-based interventions. 

What will people hear about during your presentation at APASC25? 

The presentation will cover the role of physiotherapists in assessing and treating people with lung cancer, the evidence for the role of exercise training and physical activity across the lung cancer continuum of care and the impact the National Lung Cancer Screening program may have on physiotherapy clinical practice. 

>>Dr Vin Cavalheri is an associate professor within the School of Allied Health at Curtin University and the director of the allied health research unit at South Metropolitan Health Service in Perth. Over the past 18 years, Vin has accrued clinical and research experience in the area of exercise training and promotion of physical activity for people with lung cancer and chronic lung disease. 

>>Vin will present a keynote titled ‘Integrating exercise into the lung cancer care continuum’ on Thursday 23 October at 2:30 pm and a Rapid 5X5 presentation titled ‘In-hospital daily step count and fatigue in adults following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant’ on Saturday 25 October at 1:40 pm. He will also be a speaker at the Cardiorespiratory and Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema breakfast ‘Move, nourish, thrive: integrating exercise and nutrition strategies for holistic frailty care’ on Friday 24 October at 7:00 am.

Click here for more information about APASC25