A large international study has found that regular exercise can improve survival rates for colon cancer patients. Researchers monitored 889 individuals from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States who had undergone chemotherapy. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that participants in a three-year exercise program experienced 28% fewer cancer recurrences and 37% fewer fatalities from any cause. The program provided coaching sessions every two weeks for one year, then monthly for the next two years, helping participants boost their physical activity levels. Participants often engaged in moderate physical activity, such as walking for 45 minutes several times a week. The results were shared at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

Experts described the study as significant, marking the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate that exercise can directly reduce cancer recurrence risk and improve survival. Dr. Julie Gralow of ASCO stated the research provides robust evidence to support previous recommendations lacking definitive proof. Exercise programs, which cost several thousand dollars per patient, were considered affordable when compared to medical treatments. Researchers also collected blood samples to investigate biological mechanisms, such as improved insulin regulation and enhanced immune response. The study highlights the importance of integrating lifestyle-based interventions into cancer care plans. Experts recommend that cancer centers consider offering structured exercise coaching as part of standard treatment for colon cancer patients. The findings offer scientific evidence supporting exercise as a strategy to improve long-term outcomes for colon cancer patients.