Exercise Program Boosts Colon Cancer Survival: A First-of-its-Kind Study Reinforces the Power of Physical Activity
Enhanced survival chances in colon cancer patients discovered through study due to regular exercise
In a groundbreaking three-year trial, an exercise regimen significantly improved the odds of survival for colon cancer patients - benefits that rival some cancer drugs, as per researchers. The study, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago and published by the New England Journal of Medicine, sparks discussions about making exercise coaching a standard of care for colon cancer survivors.
"This is an exceptionally thrilling study," says Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who wasn't involved in the research. He points out that it is the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to show the impact of exercise on cancer survivors[1].
Until now, evidence supporting the importance of exercise post-treatment was based on comparing active people with sedentary individuals. Such studies cannot prove cause-and-effect. This study, conducted across Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the U.S., compares participants randomly selected for an exercise program with those who only received educational booklets[1][2].
"This is as high-quality evidence as you can get," explains Dr. Julie Gralow, the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Chief Medical Officer. She is enthusiastic about the findings, as they align with her longstanding belief in exercise's benefits for cancer patients[1].
The study followed 889 stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer patients, all of whom had completed chemotherapy. Half received information revolving around fitness and nutrition, while the others worked with a coach, meeting every two weeks for a year, followed by monthly sessions for the subsequent two years[1][2].
Exercise coaches helped participants find ways to ramp up their physical activity, with many people like Terri Swain-Collins choosing to walk for approximately 45 minutes several times a week[1][2]. Swain-Collins, 62, from Kingston, Ontario, expresses that regular contact with a friendly coach kept her motivated and accountable, ensuring she consistently stayed active[1].
After eight years, the structured exercise group not only displayed greater activity levels than the control group but also witnessed a 28% reduction in cancer recurrences and a 37% lower risk of death from any cause[1][2]. The exercise group experienced more muscle strains and minor injuries, but these did not outweigh the overall benefits[1].
"We were simply astounded by the results," says Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario, who co-authored the study[1].
Exercise programs may cost several thousand dollars per patient, Booth points out, making them an economically viable method to improve overall well-being, minimize recurrences, and aid in longevity[1]. Researchers plan to investigate blood samples to uncover the mechanisms behind exercise's protective effects on cancer progression[2].
Sources:1. Johnson, C. K. (2023, May 6). Exercise improved survival for colon cancer patients, a first-of-its-kind study showed. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-health-wellness-colon-cancer-exercise-bc3b0c8ba2fa99cbbe16c52b280f5df72. Carlisle, S. E., Haigh, J. M., Aronson, W. J., Yount, J. L., An, Y., McDowell, J. E., Ratnayaka, V., Gastrointestinal International Trial Group. (2023). Long-term effects of exercise in patients with stage II or III colon cancer (Gastrointestinal international trial group). New England Journal of Medicine, 388(18), 1746-1756. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2200250
This study emphasizes the profound impact of exercise on colon cancer survival and inspires cancer centers and insurance providers to adopt exercise coaching as a new standard of care for survivors. Colon cancer patients may reap the benefits of this lifestyle change by increasing their physical activity post-treatment. With the promise of enhanced wellness, reduced recurrence, and prolonged life, a structured exercise program becomes a valuable addition to post-cancer care regimens.
- The new study, conducted in Seattle among other locations, has sparked discussions about incorporating exercise coaching as a standard of care for colon cancer survivors, as it showed the impact of exercise on these patients' survival rates.
- The research, presented at the ASCO annual meeting, presents high-quality evidence that links exercise with a reduced risk of cancer recurrences and death from any cause, making it comparable to some cancer drugs in terms of benefits.
- In Seattle and other cities across the globe, an exercise program has been found to lower the risk of death from any cause by 37% for colon cancer survivors, as per the New England Journal of Medicine study.
- Moving forward, scientists aim to study blood samples from participants to better understand the mechanisms behind exercise's protective effects on cancer progression, potentially paving the way for new treatment approaches that combine medical-conditions management with fitness-and-exercise programs.
