An international study shows that regular exercise can significantly improve survival rates during the three years after treating common cancer.
In this study, a total of 889 colon cancer patients who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy were divided into two groups.
According to the research press release, one group participated in a three-year structured group exercise program and the second group received educational health materials.
Research says simple dietary changes can reduce your risk of colon cancer.
Under the coach's guidance, the sports team is allowed to choose their own moderate-intensity exercises, such as walking or pickles. The overall goal is to add 2½ hours of activity per week.
Over the eight years, participants in the exercise group were 28% less likely to develop colon cancer recurrence or new cancers, and overall survival was 37%.
An international study shows that regular exercise can significantly improve survival rates during the three years after treating common cancer. (iStock)
"Our findings suggest that exercise is no longer just a quality of life intervention in cancer patients," said study co-chair Dr. Kerry Courneya.
“This is a treatment for colon cancer and must be provided for all patients.”
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One patient in the study, Terri Swain-Collins, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021.
After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she was admitted to the clinical trial and was assigned to the exercise group. Swain-Collins worked closely with a physical therapist to create a fitness regimen that suits her.
“This is a treatment for colon cancer and must be provided for all patients.”
“One of the biggest benefits is having a semi-structured routine that works with someone’s lifestyle to keep me accountable,” she said in a press release.
“Just being told by a doctor to exercise isn’t enough to get me to this day; having someone walk with me, guide me regularly and have a checkup is what really makes it possible.”
Three years later, Swain-Collins are still walking regularly, without cancer.
Allow exercise groups to choose their own moderate intensity exercise, such as walking or pickles. (iStock)
This is the first study to directly study the effects of structured exercise on cancer survival, the researchers said.
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"The next step is to put it into practice," said Dr. Chris Booth, a medical oncologist at Kingston Health Sciences Center and a professor of oncology at Queens University.
“This means that health systems will need to invest in behavior support programs as part of standard care.”
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Booth notes that the implementation of exercise as a tool for anti-cancer may be “compared to many new cancer drugs.”
However, the study did find that patients in the sports group were more likely to develop muscle strains or injuries (18.5%) than non-athletes (11.5%).
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. (iStock)
The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and were also presented at the annual ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) conference in Chicago on Sunday.
The study was funded by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
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Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Among those under 50, the diagnosis rate increased by 2.4% per year from 2012 to 2021.