It’s a life-saving power.
A major international study has shown that a structured three-year exercise program can significantly improve survival and reduce cancer recurrence in people treated for colon cancer. Nearly 900 patients from countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., and Israel took part. Half received basic health education, while the other half engaged in an ongoing coaching program designed to help them increase their physical activity after completing chemotherapy.
Unlike previous studies that only observed differences between active and sedentary individuals, this research used a randomized controlled design, making its findings much more robust. Participants in the coaching group met regularly with fitness advisors who helped them adopt routines such as brisk walking multiple times a week. Over an eight-year period, the coached group experienced 28% fewer cancer recurrences and 37% fewer deaths from any cause compared to the control group.
The study, presented at a leading oncology conference and published in a top medical journal, has drawn praise from experts for its quality and implications. Doctors who were not involved in the research believe these results could change the standard of care for colon cancer survivors. Exercise, they argue, should be seen as a medically supported part of post-treatment recovery, much like medications or other therapies.
While some participants reported minor physical issues like muscle strains, the overall benefits of the exercise program far outweighed the downsides. Experts noted the program is relatively affordable and could be widely implemented by cancer centers and health systems. Researchers are also analyzing biological data from participants to better understand how exercise may directly help prevent cancer from returning, possibly through its effects on the immune system or metabolism.
Importantly, many patients continued exercising even after the study ended, suggesting the program helped instill lasting healthy habits. This long-term adherence supports the idea that with motivation, support, and belief in the benefits, cancer survivors can make significant lifestyle changes. The researchers concluded that there is now strong evidence that exercise does more than improve quality of life—it directly improves survival in colon cancer patients.
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