Lifestyle
Exercise Your Way to Health: New Study Highlights Benefits for Colon Cancer Recovery
Recent research has uncovered promising news for individuals battling colon cancer. An innovative study has demonstrated that exercise could play a significant role in reducing cancer recurrence and improving survival rates among patients.
This international study, the first of its kind, revealed that colon cancer patients who engaged in a structured exercise program experienced substantial benefits. These findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, offering the most compelling evidence yet that regular physical activity can positively impact cancer outcomes.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, monitored 889 patients with Stage 3 or high-risk Stage 2 colon cancer. These patients had undergone surgery and chemotherapy across various countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., and Israel, over an eight-year period from 2009 to 2024.
Participants were divided into two groups. One group received coaching to develop sustainable exercise habits, typically walking for 45 minutes four days a week, supported by regular sessions with their coaches. The other group was provided with educational materials on the benefits of exercise and healthy eating but did not receive personalized coaching.
The results for the exercise group were remarkable. They exhibited a 28% lower risk of cancer recurrence and a 37% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who only received educational materials. Furthermore, they faced a reduced risk of other cancers, including breast and colorectal cancers, despite experiencing an increase in minor musculoskeletal issues.
“When we saw the results, we were just astounded,” said Dr. Christopher Booth, a study co-author and cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario.
Dr. Booth emphasized that the study demonstrates how exercise can be “a remarkably affordable intervention that will make people feel better, have fewer cancer recurrences, and help them live longer.”
Kerry Courneya, another study co-author and a cancer and exercise researcher at the University of Alberta, highlighted the significance of the study’s findings. “Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival,” Courneya stated.
Future research aims to explore the mechanisms behind exercise’s impact on cancer, such as its potential effects on the immune system, insulin processing, and body composition.
Experts are hopeful that these findings will encourage insurance companies and cancer centers to integrate fitness coaching into colon cancer recovery treatment. However, the key to success lies in providing patients with tailored exercise programs and ensuring they maintain consistency.
Dr. Booth pointed out the challenges many face in establishing an exercise routine, stating, “It’s not as simple as telling people to exercise. We know that for many people, getting an exercise habit is very difficult. We really need [insurers] to cover this.”
In the meantime, colon cancer survivors and those at risk can find solace in knowing that even moderate physical activity can have a significant impact.
“One of the common questions that oncologists get asked when a patient finishes chemo is, ‘What else can I do, doc?’ And this is really definitive,” Dr. Booth added. “We can now say a structured exercise program done with a coach can improve your outcomes.”
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