Physical Activity Equals Medication in Reducing Colon Cancer Recurrence
Colon cancer, ranking as the third most common cancer globally, impacts around 10% of all cancer cases. Recently, researchers led by Canadian scientists have suggested that structured exercise programs may be more effective than drug treatments in preventing colon cancer recurrence.
This groundbreaking study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, reported that individuals following a supervised exercise regimen experienced a 28% lower risk of recurrence and a 37% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who only received health advice.
Healthcare professionals lauded the trailblazing results. David Sebag-Montefiore, a prominent oncologist, commented that the study provides "excellent news" for future cancer patients, as structured exercise offer benefits without the side effects typically associated with medical treatments.
The research involved 889 participants from Canada, Australia, the United States, the U.K., and France, who had undergone surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for stage 3 or high-risk stage 2 colon cancer. During the three-year exercise program, participants worked with certified physical activity consultants to achieve moderate-intensity exercise three to four times a week, such as 45-minute brisk walks.
The results showed that patients in the exercise group had improved physical functioning, longer disease-free survival, and an annual incidence of recurrence, new primary cancer, or death of 3.7%, compared to 5.4% for the health-education group. After 5 years, 80.3% of patients in the exercise group were disease-free, compared to 73.9% of those in the health-education group.
In light of these results, Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, stated that exercise could potentially be "better than a drug" for cancer patient outcomes, mainly because it does not involve the side effects associated with medications. However, she emphasized that this does not mean to diminish the importance of medications.
The researchers highlighted the need for support systems to help patients maintain regular exercise, as many face barriers to doing so. Vicky Coyle, a U.K. lead researcher for the trial, emphasized the importance of embedding exercise into treatment plans, while Joe Henson, a leading exercise researcher, encouraged healthcare providers to offer tailored support to their patients.
A structured exercise program may not only reduce the risk of recurrence and improve survival rates but can also contribute to overall health improvements and enhance the quality of life for colon cancer survivors. The merits of exercise far outweigh the costs: 3,000 to 5,000 Canadian dollars for the exercise intervention, compared to tens of thousands or even up to 100,000 for certain cancer drugs.
- This study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that structured exercise programs might be more effective than drug treatments in preventing colon cancer recurrence.
- The trailblazing results of the study prompted David Sebag-Montefiore, a prominent oncologist, to express that structured exercise offers benefits without the side effects commonly associated with medical treatments.
- The research involved participants from various countries, including Canada, Australia, the United States, the U.K., and France, who had undergone surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.
- During the three-year exercise program, participants worked with certified physical activity consultants to achieve moderate-intensity exercise three to four times a week, such as brisk walks.
- The results showed that patients in the exercise group had improved physical functioning, longer disease-free survival, and a lower risk of recurrence compared to those who only received health advice.
- The merits of exercise for colon cancer survivors extend beyond preventing recurrence and improving survival rates, as regular exercise can contribute to overall health improvements and enhance the quality of life.
