People with advanced cancer could enjoy an improved quality of life if they walked for just 30 minutes, three times a week, a new study has found.

According to UK researchers, ‘rather than shying away from exercise, people with advanced disease should be encouraged to be more active and incorporate exercise into their daily lives where possible'.

They set out to assess the impact of walking on the quality of life and the severity of symptoms in people with advanced cancer. Forty-two patients were divided into two groups, one of which was encouraged to maintain their current level of activity.

The other group took part in a short motivational interview, they were given walking guidelines and they attended a group walk weekly.

The study found that those who were encouraged to walk reported improvements in physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing. Many of the participants said that their attitude towards their illness became more positive and they enjoyed the social benefits that came with participating in group walks.

"The impact has been immense, a great boost to morale. I no longer dwell on being terminal - I'm just on getting on with making life as enjoyable as possible, greatly helped by friends made on regular walks," one participant noted.

According to the study's co-author, Prof Emma Ream of the University of Surrey, these findings show that exercise ‘is valued by, suitable for, and beneficial to people with advanced cancer'.

The researchers added that walking is ‘a free and accessible form of physical activity'.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, BMJ Open.