A large international study has shown that regular exercise can improve survival rates for colon cancer patients. The study tracked 889 people from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States who had finished chemotherapy. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that participants who joined a three-year exercise program had 28% fewer cancer recurrences and 37% fewer fatalities from any cause. The program included coaching sessions every two weeks for one year, then monthly sessions for the next two years. These sessions helped participants increase their physical activity, including 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 the first randomized controlled trial to show that exercise can reduce the risk of cancer coming back and help people live longer. Dr. Julie Gralow of ASCO said the research offers strong evidence for recommendations that were not proven before. Exercise programs cost several thousand dollars per patient, which experts say is affordable compared to medical treatments. The study also collected blood samples to study how exercise helps prevent cancer, such as by improving insulin control and supporting the immune system. Experts recommend that exercise coaching should become part of standard care for colon cancer patients.