A recent international study has revealed that a structured three-year exercise programme significantly improves survival rates and reduces cancer recurrence in patients with colon cancer. The research, which involved 889 participants who had completed chemotherapy and was conducted across five countries—including Canada, Australia, the UK, Israel, and the USA—represents a significant advancement in understanding the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors.
According to the study findings, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, those who participated in a coached exercise programme exhibited a 28% reduction in cancer recurrences and a 37% drop in mortality rates compared to a control group that received standard fitness and nutrition information. This is the first high-quality evidence linking structured physical activity directly to improved survival outcomes, offering a compelling alternative to previous observational studies that suggested a correlation without establishing a causal relationship.
Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who was not directly involved in the study, described the results as “extremely exciting”, emphasising the study's robust design. The randomised controlled trial provides a more reliable measure of the effects of exercise than previous studies that compared active to sedentary individuals, which he noted could not definitively prove causation. Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, praised the research, asserting that the evidence it presents could lead to exercise coaching being integrated into standard care practice for colon cancer survivors.
The participants in the exercise group engaged with coaches bi-weekly for the first year and then monthly for the following two years. Many, like Terri Swain-Collins from Kingston, Ontario, incorporated regular walking into their routines, often finding motivation from personal interaction with their coaches. Swain-Collins stated, “This is something I could do for myself to make me feel better,” highlighting the dual benefits of emotional support and physical activity in recovery.
Over the course of eight years, those in the exercise programme not only became more active but reported better overall well-being. Despite some participants experiencing minor muscle strains, study co-author Dr. Christopher Booth noted that the programme remained a “remarkably affordable intervention” compared to the potential costs of medical treatment. The implications are profound; the research team is now analysing blood samples from participants to uncover the biological mechanisms at play—whether through improved insulin processing, immune system enhancement, or other factors.
The significance of this study cannot be overstated. Experts are increasingly advocating for the integration of structured exercise into the treatment plans of colon cancer survivors, as the evidence suggests that physical activity can not only enhance recovery but also extend life. This notion is further supported by a range of studies indicating that regular exercise can improve survival rates for cancer patients, narrowing the gap in survival between these individuals and the general population. While earlier data suggested the potential benefits of physical activity, the current research bridges the gap, allowing practitioners to advocate confidently for exercise as a crucial element of post-cancer care.
Encouragingly, this focus on physical activity aligns with growing consensus among health professionals that even modest amounts of exercise can significantly boost health outcomes. As Kerry Courneya from the University of Alberta remarked, “Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival,” signalling a pivotal shift in how cancer recovery may be approached going forward.
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Source: Noah Wire Services