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This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating CCOP site, chemotherapy course length (2 weeks vs 3 weeks), gender, and degree of fatigue reported on the study assessment questionnaire (? 5 vs > 5). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention arms. Arm I: Patients receive standard chemotherapy. Arm II: Patients receive a home-based walking kit comprising an Exercise for Cancer Patients Manual, a pedometer, and therapeutic resistance bands. Patients undergo moderately intense aerobic exercise (walking) monitored by a pedometer, and low to moderately intense progressive-resistance exercise using therapeutic resistance bands for 6 weeks. Patients also receive standard chemotherapy. Patients in both arms undergo assessment of their aerobic capacity and strength by the 6-minute walk test and handgrip dynamometry at baseline and at day 41. Patients also complete Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue and -Cognitive Subscales, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, Profile of Mood States, Aerobic Center Longitudinal Study Physical Activity, and Symptom Inventory questionnaires at baseline and at day 41 and keep a daily exercise diary during study intervention.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of cancer No distant metastasis Planning to begin chemotherapy treatment for cancer AND scheduled to undergo ? 6 weeks of chemotherapy with courses lasting 2 or 3 weeks Not in the active or maintenance stage of exercise behavior as assessed by the 1-item Exercise Stages of Change Short Form (On Study Data/Participant Interview form question #7) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Karnofsky performance status 70-100% Able to read English No physical limitations (e.g., cardiorespiratory, orthopedic, or CNS limitations) that would contraindicate participation in a low- to moderate-intensity home-based walking and progressive-resistance exercise program PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics At least 6 months since prior chemotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy

This randomized phase III trial is studying how well exercise works in lessening fatigue caused by cancer in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Physical activity may help lessen fatigue caused by cancer in patients receiving chemotherapy. It is not yet known whether a home-based walking and resistance-band exercise program is effective in lessening fatigue.