Exercise plays a crucial role, on par with medication, in minimizing the risk of colon cancer recurrence.
In the wide world of cancer, colorectal cancer holds the unwanted title as the third most common cancer globally, accounting for about 10% of all cancer cases.
Recently, a groundbreaking study spearheaded by Canadian scientists has produced intriguing findings: a structured exercise program following surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer has been found to significantly lower patients' chance of cancer recurring by 28%, compared to those only given health advice.
This study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), also revealed that structured exercise reduced the risk of death from any cause by a substantial 37%. Experts have postulated that exercise might even be 'better than a drug' at preventing colon cancer recurrence.
With colorectal cancer being the second leading cause of cancer deaths, this study offers hope for patients seeking new ways to improve their outcomes.Speaking to the Science Media Centre, David Sebag-Montefiore, a renowned oncologist, remarked that the findings suggest exercise could offer benefits without the downsides often associated with other treatments.
The Exercise Advantage Over Health Advice
The research team recruited close to 900 participants from various countries and assigning them to one of two groups. The exercise group participated in a three-year program guided by certified physical activity consultants, who offered weekly meetings for the first six months, fortnightly sessions for the next six months, and monthly check-ins for the final two years.
The study participants' primary goal was to achieve the equivalent of three to four brisk walks per week, though they had leeway to choose the type, frequency, and intensity of their aerobic exercise. The health-education group, meanwhile, received general health resources promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition, as well as standard surveillance.
After an average follow-up period of 7.9 years, the exercise group experienced a lower rate of cancer recurrence, new primary cancer cases, or deaths compared to the health-education group. Overall, 107 participants in the trial passed away, with 41 in the exercise group and 66 in the health-education group.
The participants in the exercise group demonstrated improved physical functioning and extended disease-free survival, with an annual incidence of recurrence, new primary cancer, or death of 3.7%, compared to 5.4% in the health-education group. Specifically, 80.3% of patients in the exercise group were disease-free after five years, compared to only 73.9% of the health-education group.
The Promise of Exercise in Cancer Prevention
Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, indicated that exercise's potential might outshine that of certain drugs, as it does not come with the related side effects. However, she clarified her statement, explaining that her intention was to compare the magnitude of benefits from standard therapies to what exercise achieved in terms of reduction of recurrences and deaths, while taking toxicity into account.
Gralow highlighted that although there are effective drugs designed to help prevent recurrence in some colon cancer patients with specific mutations, exercise's benefits are not limited to these specific populations. Kerry S. Courneya, the lead researcher on the study and Professor at the University of Alberta, expressed his satisfaction that their research primarily focused on overall survival improvement.
Incorporating exercise into treatment plans has the potential to bring numerous health benefits, like improved fitness, reduced fatigue, and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, among others. Moreover, the cost of a structured exercise program can be significantly lower compared to the cost of some cancer drugs.
The Need for Support in Staying Active
Vicky Coyle, the UK lead researcher for the trial and Clinical Professor at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland, emphasized the importance of physical activity in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence for some colon cancer patients. To this end, she stressed the need for policymakers and healthcare providers to integrate exercise into treatment plans where appropriate.
Joe Henson, an Associate Professor in Lifestyle Medicine at the University of Leicester, underscored the necessity of offering tailored support for individuals seeking to engage in regular exercise. Implementing exercise programs like those outlined in the study can be challenging, as it may require numerous clinic visits and regular support to maintain consistency.
Gralow concurred, expressing concern whether most clinics have enough staff to accommodate the needed number of visits, considering evidence suggesting that other cancer types, including common ones like breast and prostate cancer, also benefit from exercise. Finding alternative ways to support patients in their exercise routines, ensuring regular support and encouragement, and recommending exercise to patients will be essential for future success in improving cancer outcomes through physical activity.
- The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), suggests that exercise might be 'better than a drug' at preventing colorectal cancer recurrence.
- The research team found that a structured exercise program following surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer has been found to significantly lower patients' chance of cancer recurring by 28%.
- The study participants, assigned to an exercise group, achieved the equivalent of three to four brisk walks per week and demonstrated improved physical functioning and extended disease-free survival.
- Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, indicated that exercise's potential might outshine that of certain drugs in terms of reduction of recurrences and deaths.
- Vicky Coyle, the UK lead researcher for the trial, stressed the need for policymakers and healthcare providers to integrate exercise into treatment plans where appropriate.
- Implementing exercise programs like those outlined in the study can be challenging, as it may require numerous clinic visits and regular support to maintain consistency.
