Exercise plays a crucial role, equal to medications, in minimizing the chances of colon cancer recurrence.
Modern colorectal cancer, the third most prevalent cancer globally, claims around 10% of all cancer cases.
Recent research, spearheaded by Canadian scientists, suggests that a methodical exercise program may outperform drug treatments in preventing colon cancer recurrence. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), this groundbreaking study found that a structured exercise routine decreased patients' risk of cancer recurrence by 28% compared to those merely given health advice [1][2].
You read that right, exercise might just be 'better than a drug' at keeping colon cancer at bay!
Speaking to the Science Media Centre, renowned oncologist David Sebag-Montefiore noted:
"This research offers amazing news for future patients with bowel cancer. Exercise not only reduces the chance of cancer recurring but also offers health benefits without the downside of treatment side effects."
Structured Exercise vs Health Advice for Cancer Prevention
The research team recruited 889 individuals from Canada, Australia, the United States, the U.K., and France for this research, which was part of the Colon Health and Lifelong Exercise Change (CHALLENGE) trial. All participants had undergone surgery for stages 3 or high-risk stage 2 colon cancer followed by adjuvant chemotherapy to combat recurrence. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 84, with a median age of 61. The majority had overweight or obesity before the trial, and none exercised more than 150 minutes per week [1][2].
The researchers randomly divided all participants into two groups: the exercise group and the health-education group. The exercise group worked closely with a certified physical activity consultant for three years, aiming to achieve equivalent to 3-4 brisk 45-60-minute walks per week. The health-education group received general health information promoting physical activity and nutritional health [1][2].
Exercise Reduced Cancer Recurrence, Improved Survival
After 7.9 years of follow-up, 93 people in the exercise group and 131 in the health-education group had experienced cancer recurrence, a new primary cancer, or had died. 107 died from any cause, with 41 in the exercise group and 66 in the health-education group. The exercise group did not lose weight, but they saw improvements in their physical functioning and disease-free survival, with an annual incidence of recurrence, new primary cancer, or death of 3.7% compared to 5.4% in the health-education group [1][2].
Could Exercise Replace Drugs?
Lead researcher Kerry S. Courneya emphasized the improvement in survival as the most significant finding of the study. Julie Gralow, the Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), stated that the findings suggest that exercise might surpass drugs for cancer patient outcomes due to its lack of related side effects. However, it's essential to note that she didn't suggest eliminating drugs in favor of exercise; instead, she compared the magnitude of benefit from conventional therapies to the reduction of recurrences and deaths achieved by exercise while considering toxicity [1][2].
Gralow pointed out that exercise's benefit in colon cancer patients is not limited to specific mutations, while there are effective drugs that help prevent recurrence in patients with particular colon cancer mutations [1][2].
Encouraging Exercise as Part of Cancer Care
The structured exercise program's benefits, such as improved fitness, strength, and mental health, far outweigh any minor inconvenience it may cause. For instance, the program's cost is much more affordable than many cancer drugs. As Vicky Coyle, the U.K. lead researcher for the trial, stated:
"Our study offers compelling evidence that physical activity can reduce the risk of cancer returning for some people with colon cancer. We need to work together to incorporate exercise into treatment plans where appropriate."
Joe Henson, who led exercise sessions in the UK for the trial, highlighted the importance of support:
"Despite exercise's proven benefits, many people still face barriers to regular exercise. This study shows that exercise advice should be a routine part of cancer care, and patients should receive tailored support."
While emphasizing the importance of exercise to her patients, Gralow acknowledged the challenges of implementing structured exercise programs like those in the study:
"Implementing regular exercise programs as part of cancer care could be difficult, as not all clinics have sufficient staff to accommodate frequent visits, and many patients may not be willing to come in as often as needed."
"So," she said, "we must find alternative ways to support our patients in incorporating exercise into their lives that don't demand frequent clinic visits but still provide regular support and encouragement. And we need to ensure that we, the clinicians, are recommending this—a prescription for exercise!"
- Exercise, found to be more effective in preventing colon cancer recurrence than drug treatments, has the potential to replace some current medical interventions.
- The colorectal cancer research spearheaded by Canadian scientists, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrates that a structured exercise routine reduces the risk of cancer recurrence by 28%.
- Fitness and exercise are not only beneficial in preventing colon cancer recurrence but also offer health advantages without the side effects often associated with cancer treatments.
- Health-and-wellness advocates are encouraging oncologists and other healthcare providers to incorporate exercise programs into treatment plans for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
- A meticulously designed exercise program, such as the one outlined in the CHALLENGE trial, can lead to improvements in physical functioning and disease-free survival for individuals living with colorectal cancer.
- As cancer treatments advance and expand, scientists, oncologists, and medical professionals increasingly collaborate to emphasize the significance of exercise as an essential component of overall health-and-wellness and cancer care.
