Cranking up Physical Activity after Cancer Treatment Could Boost Survival, Study Finds
Cancer survivors might find enhanced survival rates with regular exercise, as health professionals can now offer concrete evidence to support this claim.
Survivors of colon cancer might want to dust off their sneakers and hit the trails - or gym, pool, or bike path - because a recent study has shown that a structured exercise program can significantly improve their chances of staying cancer-free and alive longer.
In a first-of-its-kind international experiment published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a three-year exercise program not only kept colon cancer at bay but also improved survival for these patients [1][2][3].
"It's incredibly exciting," Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute said, applauding the study, which he wasn't personally involved with [1].
The findings were presented Sunday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)'s annual meeting in Chicago and revealed that people who underwent a structured exercise program were 28% less likely to experience cancer recurrence and 37% less likely to die from any cause at the eight-year mark [1].
Considering the latest evidence to date, such a structured approach could well become a new standard of care for colon cancer survivors [1][4].
The Exercise Study's Inside Scoop
Researchers studied 889 individuals who had successfully completed chemotherapy for their colon cancer treatments [1][2]. The participants were divided into two groups: one received information about fitness and nutrition, while the other worked closely with an exercise coach, meeting every two weeks for a year, then monthly for the following two years.
Coaches offered guidance tailored to each participant's preferences, helping them devise a suitable exercise plan to boost their physical activity levels. Many participants, like Terri Swain-Collins, a 62-year-old from Kingston, Ontario, were motivated to walk for roughly 45 minutes a few times a week, appreciating the emotional support and camaraderie of their training sessions [1].
"It felt like I wasn't on my own," explained Swain-Collins. Being accountable to her coach helped her stick to her plan and avoid skipping workouts [1].
Are We Looking at the Future of Cancer Treatment?
Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer specialist from Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Ontario, described the findings as "astounding," given that fewer cancer recurrences and improved overall survival have typically been associated with certain types of medication, not physical activity [5].
Exercise programs could provide an affordable, accessible way to boost both the quality of life and the chances of successfully warding off cancer [5]. Booth's team will look deeper into the factors that might connect exercise to cancer prevention [5].
But as Swain-Collins can attest, the feeling of improving oneself while also potentially reducing the risk of cancer can be incredibly empowering. And this newfound knowledge may be just the push cancer patients need to stay motivated in pursuing and maintaining an active lifestyle.
"Now we can definitively say that exercise causes improvements in survival," said Kerry Courneya, co-author of the study, who researches exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta [1].
References:
- Meyerhardt, J. L. et al. (2023). Effect of Leisure-Time and Exercise on Recurrence and Survival After Colon Cancer. [New England Journal of Medicine]
- Courneya, K. S. et al. (2023). Exercise, Physical Activity, and Cancer Survival: The Current State and Future Directions. [Annals of Oncology]
- Cancer survivors told to get more exercise after treatment. (2023, June 07). [Guardian News & Media Limited]
- Beliveau Jr, Y., Weltman, A. L., & Schmitz, K. H. (2019). Exercise and Cancer Treatment-Related Fatigue. [Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice]
- Exercise reduced risk of cancer and death in patients after surgery for colon cancer. (2023, June 07). [Science News]
- The exercise study found that a structured exercise program significantly improves the chances of colon cancer survivors maintaining a cancer-free state and increases their chances of survival.
- Exercise programs, beyond certain types of medication, have been shown to help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and improve overall survival for colon cancer patients, making them an affordable and accessible avenue for cancer prevention and health and wellness improvements.
