Exercise improves colon cancer survival, major study shows

A major international study has revealed that exercise can significantly improve survival rates for patients with colon cancer. Colon cancer is a serious illness affecting the large intestine, and this research shows that a regular exercise program can reduce the risk of death by about one third. The study highlights that even moderate amounts of physical activity, such as swimming or dance classes, can be beneficial. This discovery could change how colon cancer is treated worldwide and may lead to similar exercise programs for other diseases like breast cancer.

The trial involved 889 patients who had recently completed chemotherapy. Half of the participants were enrolled in a three-year exercise program designed to encourage them to do at least twice the recommended amount of physical activity for the general population. This meant engaging in three to four sessions of brisk walking each week, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. For the first six months, participants received weekly face-to-face coaching, which then reduced to monthly sessions. The other half of the patients received only leaflets promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were impressive. After five years, 80% of those in the exercise group remained free of cancer, compared to 74% in the control group. This represents a 28% reduction in the risk of cancer returning or a new cancer developing. Furthermore, eight years after treatment, only 10% of the exercise group had died, compared to 17% in the group that received only health advice. This means there was a 37% lower risk of death for those who exercised. Scientists believe exercise may influence growth hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve immune system function, all of which help the body fight cancer. Experts are excited about these findings and hope they will lead to new treatment approaches that include physical activity as a key part of cancer care.