A recent international study has demonstrated that a three-year exercise program significantly improved survival rates among colon cancer patients and helped prevent the disease from returning. experts suggest that cancer centers and insurance providers should consider incorporating exercise as a standard part of care for colon cancer survivors, given its benefits rivaling some medications. Patients can proactively engage in physical activity post-treatment to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

“It is indeed an extremely exciting study,” said Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who was not involved in the research. Dr. Meyerhardt noted that this is the first randomized controlled trial to definitively show how exercise can benefit cancer survivors.

The study, conducted across Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States, involved randomly assigning participants to either a structured exercise program or receiving an educational booklet. This approach addressed the limitations of previous research, which compared active individuals with sedentary ones, making it arduous to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

“This is evidence of the highest quality that can be obtained,” said dr.Julie Gracoow, medical director of the American society of Clinical Oncology. “I love this study as it is indeed something that I have been promoting, but with less solid evidence for a long time.”

Structured exercise Program Shows Meaningful Benefits

The findings, presented at a meeting in Chicago and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlight the positive impact of structured exercise on colon cancer outcomes. The research was funded by academic groups in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

“When we saw the results, we were amazed,” said the study co -author, Dr. Christopher Booth.

Researchers followed 889 patients with treatable colon cancer who had completed chemotherapy. Half of the participants received details on exercise and nutrition, while the other half worked with a coach, meeting bi-weekly for the first year and then monthly for the subsequent two years.

The coaches assisted participants in identifying ways to increase their physical activity levels. Many, including Terri Swain-Collins, opted for regular 45-minute walks several times per week.

“This is something I could do for myself to feel better,” said Swain-Collins, 62, from Kingston, Ontario.She added that the consistent support from a coach kept her motivated and accountable: “I didn’t want to get there and say, ‘I did nothing’, so I was always doing things and making sure to complete them.”

After eight years, participants in the structured exercise program were not only more active than those in the control group but also experienced 28% fewer cancer recurrences and a 37% reduction in deaths from any cause. While there were some reports of muscle strains and similar issues in the exercise group,the overall benefits far outweighed the risks.

Dr. Christopher Booth, an oncologist at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario, and co-author of the study, stated, “When we saw the results, we were amazed.”

Dr. booth estimates that exercise programs could cost several thousand dollars per patient, noting that it is indeed “a remarkably affordable intervention that will make people feel better, have less cancer recurrences and live more time.”

The researchers also collected blood samples from participants to investigate the mechanisms by which exercise may prevent cancer, such as through insulin processing or immune system enhancement.

although the formal training program has ended, Swain-Collins continues to exercise, often listening to music while walking near her home.

Kerry Couneya, a co-author of the study who researches exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta, explained that behavior changes are more likely to occur when people believe in the benefits, find enjoyable ways to incorporate exercise, and have a social support system. The new findings provide cancer patients with a strong reason to remain motivated.

“Now we can definitely say that exercise causes improvements in survival,” said Couneya.