Regular exercise after colon cancer treatment significantly improves survival rates
Regular exercise has long been touted for its numerous health benefits, but a recent international study has shown that it could also significantly improve survival rates for colon cancer patients in the three years following treatment. The study, which involved 889 colon cancer patients who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy, divided them into two groups – one group participated in a structured group exercise program for three years, while the second group received educational health materials.
Led by coaches, the exercise group was encouraged to engage in moderate-intensity exercise of their choice, such as walking or pickleball, with the goal of adding 2 ½ hours of physical activity per week. The results were impressive – at the eight-year mark, participants in the exercise group were 28% less likely to experience a recurrence of colon cancer or the emergence of new cancers, and had a 37% higher overall survival rate.
Dr. Kerry Courneya, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Alberta and study co-chair, emphasized the importance of exercise as a treatment for colon cancer, stating that it should be made available to all patients. One study participant, Terri Swain-Collins, shared her experience of being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021 and participating in the exercise group. With the help of a physiotherapist, she developed a fitness regimen that worked for her, ultimately leading to her being cancer-free three years later.
The study highlighted the impact of structured exercise on cancer survival and emphasized the need for health systems to invest in behavior support programs as part of standard care. Dr. Chris Booth, study co-chair and medical oncologist, noted that implementing exercise as an anti-cancer tool could be remarkably cost-effective compared to many new cancer drugs.
While the benefits of exercise were clear, the study did find that patients in the exercise group were more likely to develop muscle strains or injuries compared to non-exercisers. Despite this, the overall benefits of regular exercise for colon cancer patients were significant and could potentially improve outcomes for those undergoing treatment.
Colorectal cancer is a common cancer in the U.S., with rates of diagnosis increasing among people under 50. The findings of this study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, underscore the importance of incorporating exercise into cancer treatment plans to improve survival rates and overall well-being. This study was funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and presented at the ASCO annual meeting in Chicago.
