The OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) Advanced Qualification is a comprehensive oncology exercise education program for health, fitness and allied health professionals who want to work safely and confidently with people affected by cancer.
Developed by Andrea Leonard, MS, and built on more than three decades of clinical practice, research and collaboration with oncology medical teams, the program covers 26 cancer types plus pediatric oncology and provides an in-depth understanding of how cancer, surgery and treatments can affect movement, physical function and the body’s response to exercise.
Now in its 15th Edition, revised August 2026, the curriculum reflects current cancer treatment and surgical protocols and includes updated education in breast reconstruction, lymphedema, nutrition science in oncology, GLP-1 medications, complementary and alternative medicine, and culinary medicine.
Across four comprehensive modules and more than 600 pages of learning material, you will develop practical skills in assessment, contraindications and individualized exercise programming across the cancer continuum — from pre-surgical preparation and active treatment through recovery and long-term survivorship.
The program includes downloadable full-colour handbooks, expert video lectures, quizzes, case studies, practical resources and a final examination.
On successful completion, participants receive the OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist Advanced Qualification.
Overview
The OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) Advanced Qualification is a comprehensive oncology exercise education program designed for health, fitness and allied health professionals who want to work safely and confidently with people affected by cancer.
Developed by Andrea Leonard, MS, over more than three decades of clinical practice, research and collaboration with oncology medical teams, the program provides an in-depth understanding of how cancer, surgery and cancer treatments affect the body — and how exercise assessment and programming should be adapted in response.
The curriculum covers 26 cancer types plus pediatric oncology, examining the effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy on musculoskeletal function, cardiovascular capacity, neurological health and overall physical function.
Now in its 15th Edition, revised August 2026, the program has been updated to reflect current treatment and surgical protocols, including breast reconstruction and lymphedema management. The latest edition also includes expanded education in Nutrition Science in Oncology, GLP-1 medications and cancer, complementary and alternative medicine, and culinary medicine.
The program combines detailed learning manuals, expert video lectures, assessments, case studies and practical programming guidance to help professionals translate oncology knowledge into appropriate exercise practice.
On successful completion of the course and final examination, participants receive the OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist Advanced Qualification.
Curriculum
Four Comprehensive Modules | 600+ Pages
Module 1 — Understanding Cancer
Develop the foundational knowledge required to understand cancer and its implications for exercise.
This module covers cancer biology and staging, the immune system and human biome, and surgical procedures associated with 26 cancer types plus pediatric oncology, including their acute and chronic side effects and relevant exercise contraindications.
It also explores communication following diagnosis, the specialist’s role in palliative care, hereditary cancer syndromes, risk-reducing surgery and supporting caregivers.
Key areas include: Cancer Biology & Staging · Cancer & the Immune System · Cancer Types & Surgical Procedures · Treatment Considerations · Communication & Support
Module 2 — Treatment, Side Effects & Lymphedema
Understand how cancer treatments affect physical function and how these changes influence exercise prescription.
Topics include breast cancer risk factors, surgery and reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone and other cancer treatments, neurological complications, scar tissue, cancer-related comorbidities and lymphedema prevention, identification and management.
The module also includes upper and lower extremity lymphatic drainage programming.
Module 3 — Assessment & Programming
Learn how to assess the individual rather than relying solely on their cancer diagnosis.
This module covers comprehensive postural assessment, goniometric measurements and functional testing, and demonstrates how assessment findings can be translated into individualized exercise programming.
Topics include posture, pain and muscle imbalance, range-of-motion limitations, cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise intensity, core function, proprioception, balance and manual stretching techniques.
Module 4 — Survivorship, Nutrition & Integrative Care
Explore exercise programming throughout recovery and long-term survivorship, including the role appropriately prescribed exercise can play in managing fatigue, pain, depression and other treatment-related challenges.
The revised curriculum includes Nutrition Science in Oncology, covering protein requirements during treatment, dietary patterns and the professional boundaries between general nutrition guidance and medical nutrition therapy.
New and expanded content also includes GLP-1 medications and cancer, lean-mass considerations during rapid weight loss and the importance of resistance training.
Complementary and alternative medicine and culinary medicine are also addressed, including evidence for different approaches, potential interaction risks, taste changes, mouth sores, nausea, appetite loss and food safety for immunocompromised clients.
By completing the OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist program, you will develop the knowledge and practical framework to:
- Conduct comprehensive postural, range-of-motion and functional assessments following cancer surgery.
- Recognise acute and chronic effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
- Understand lymphedema risk, prevention and appropriate management considerations.
- Develop individualized exercise programming from pre-surgical preparation through active treatment, recovery and long-term survivorship.
- Understand exercise considerations across 26 cancer types plus pediatric oncology.
- Recognise professional scope of practice and when referral to an appropriate healthcare professional is required.
- Communicate more effectively with oncology and allied health professionals.
The Program Includes:
- Four comprehensive learning modules
- 600+ pages of full-colour downloadable PDF handbooks
- Expert video lectures from professionals in oncology, medicine and exercise
- Quizzes throughout the program
- Practical case studies and assessment activities
- Final examination
- Business forms and practice resources
- Listing in the CES Directory
- Access to the private specialist group
- Email and phone support from the CETI team
Printed handbooks may also be ordered separately.
Expert Contributors & Clinical Review
The program includes teaching from Andrea Leonard, MS, together with video education from leading professionals in oncology and exercise, including Dr. Jay Harness, breast surgical oncologist; Denise Stewart, OT, on scar tissue; and Dr. Mark Kelly on cancer and comorbidities.
Specialist contributions to the revised curriculum also include Dr. Anna Schwartz, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN, addressing GLP-1 medications and cancer, and Dr. Manuel Guzman, covering complementary and alternative medicine and culinary medicine.
Each curriculum revision is reviewed by the CETI Medical Advisory Board, comprising clinicians from multiple disciplines and countries, including surgical oncologists, oncology nurses, physical therapists and researchers.
Continuing Education
The qualification carries continuing education recognition with a range of professional organisations, including:
ESSA | AUSactive via ACE
Petition documentation for other professional organisations is supplied with the course.
Maintaining Your Qualification
The OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist qualification is renewed every two years against the current curriculum.
This ensures qualified specialists remain up to date as cancer treatments, surgical procedures, reconstruction techniques, lymphedema guidance and other areas of oncology care continue to evolve.
Pre-requisites
PRE-REQUISITES
The OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist Advanced Qualification is designed for professionals who already work in health, fitness, exercise or related areas and want to develop specialist knowledge in oncology exercise.
Suitable participants may include:
Personal Trainers · Exercise Physiologists · Physical Therapists · Occupational Therapists · Nurses · Yoga Instructors · Pilates Instructors · Health Coaches · Other appropriately qualified health and fitness professionals
No previous oncology education is required. The course begins with the fundamentals of cancer biology and progressively builds the knowledge required to understand treatment, side effects, assessment, contraindications and individualized exercise programming.
Participants should already hold an appropriate professional qualification that permits them to work within their respective scope of practice.
Completion of the OncoVie® Cancer Exercise Specialist qualification does not expand an individual’s underlying professional scope of practice. Participants are expected to work within their existing professional boundaries and refer to appropriate medical or allied health professionals when required.
