Exercise has been shown to significantly enhance cancer treatment outcomes for patients with colon cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life. A new study published in [Insert publication] found that patients who participated in a structured exercise program had a 28% improvement in disease-free survival and a 37% improvement in overall survival compared to those in a health education control arm.
The CHALLENGE trial enrolled 889 patients with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer, after completing curative intent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to either a structured exercise program or the control group. The exercise program included behavioral change training and supervised exercise sessions to increase moderate or high intensity recreational aerobic exercise.
Despite some limitations in the trial design, the results confirm decades of observational reports and mounting preclinical evidence indicating an anticancer effect of exercise. Adherence rates were approximately 80% during the first 6 months, with participants experiencing improvements in fitness and distance walked within 6 minutes.
The study highlights the importance of incorporating exercise into standard cancer treatment (SOC). While positive results from phase 3 drug trials often lead to rapid incorporation into guidelines and clinical practice, exercise implementation is more complex. However, given the significant improvements in cancer-specific and overall mortality induced by exercise, it is crucial that patients with colon cancer have access to this valuable treatment option.
The findings of the CHALLENGE trial underscore the need for further research on the integration of exercise into SOC. As we continue to explore the benefits of exercise in cancer management, it is essential that clinicians, researchers, and healthcare systems work together to develop evidence-based guidelines and protocols for incorporating exercise into patient care.
Source: https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/new-colon-cancer-data-shows-importance-of-exercise-therapy-for-survival