A new study has found that exercise can significantly boost survival rates in colon cancer patients. A three-year exercise program improved survival and kept disease at bay, with benefits rivaling some drugs. Researchers compared 889 patients who received either an educational booklet or coaching sessions, finding that those who worked with a coach had 28% fewer cancers and 37% fewer deaths.
The study, conducted in Canada, Australia, the UK, Israel, and the US, is considered high-quality evidence due to its randomized controlled trial design. Experts say that exercise coaching should be considered a standard of care for colon cancer survivors until it becomes widely adopted by hospitals and insurance plans.
Patients can increase their physical activity after treatment, knowing they are doing their part to prevent cancer from coming back. The study’s findings are promising, with benefits including improved survival rates, reduced cancer recurrences, and increased muscle strength.
The researchers collected blood samples to explore the mechanisms behind exercise-induced cancer prevention, which may involve insulin processing or immune system building. While some participants experienced minor issues such as muscle strains, the benefits of exercise far outweighed these drawbacks.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Kerry Courneya, says that the new evidence will give cancer patients a reason to stay motivated and achieve behavior change. With its affordable cost and potential to improve survival rates, exercise coaching is an intervention worth considering for colon cancer survivors.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/colon-cancer-exercise-study-recovery-prevention-9d77c2927152dfc16b717fa9cc9b9471