By Euronews with AP
published on
02/06/2025 – 13:49 GMT+2
A 3-year exercise programme has shown to be an effective intervention for colon cancer survivors, as it is now being highlighted as a potential first-of-the-kind intervention to achieve significant improvements in survival and reduce the occurrence of cancer recurrence. This study, conducted by researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, marks a significant advancement in understanding the role of physical activity in cancer prevention and treatment success. The findings are even more remarkable, as this study is considered to offer high-quality evidence in a field that traditionally struggles with establishing causality in its research.
Until now, there have been limited studies that have directly linked exercise to cancer, and many of these studies have relied on observational, cross-sectional data. The experiment described here marked the first of its kind, as it was a randomized, controlled trial comparing individuals who underwent an exercise programme with those who received an educational booklet as part of their cancer treatment strategy. The ambition to demonstrate a direct and causally significant link between physical activity and cancer outcomes has prompted this study to be a significant milestone in the field.
The research was conducted in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States, and compared 889 colon cancer patients who were eligible for treatment after chemotherapy. Half of these patients were randomly selected to receive information promoting fitness and nutrition, while the other half were assigned an exercise coach, who met with them every two weeks for one year, followed by monthly sessions for the next two years. The coaches provided learning opportunities to improve physical activity, and participants were encouraged to find practical ways to increase their level of activity.
Sw Terri Swain-Collins, a 62-year-old patient from Kingston, Ontario, indicated that her initial inclination to join the exercise programme was driven by her desire to increase her level of activity to help prevent cancer, rather than pursue any form of self-motivation. This patient highlighted the importance of social and emotional support in encouraging continued participation in an exercise-based approach. The study’s strong evidence base supports the notion that exercise can be a powerful tool for promoting cancer control and improving patient outcomes.
The results of this study are particularly significant for cancer centres and insurance plans, as they provide forward-looking recommendations for managing cancer survivors more effectively. The findings are especially relevant for survivors of colon cancer, as this is a common diagnosed condition in many countries. The study also revealed that participants who engaged in the exercise programme not only experienced a 28% reduction in overall cancer recurrence rates, but there was a further 37% reduction in the incidence of embryos of cancer-related cancers.
One notable aspect of the study was that most of the 889 patients were men, with an average age of 53. Of the participants who underwent the exercise programme, only 67% reached the 12-week mark. The results of the study suggest that this seemingly low participation rate could be attributed to the high quality of coaching provided and the personalized learning opportunities given to the participants. The study’s findings underscore the importance of developing evidence-based, patient-centric approaches to improving cancer care.
The high-quality evidence from this study represents an important advance in the study of cancer prevention. It is now possible to draw direct links between physical activity and cancer outcomes, at least in the context of colon cancer survivors. This is a significant step for the field, as many previous studies were reliant on observational, cross-sectional data, which could not definitively link physical activity to cancer outcomes. The findings of this study suggest that exercise-based interventions could be a powerful tool for promoting cancer control and improving patient outcomes.
The success of the exercise programme demonstrated in this study is now being jury-petted. The results showed not only a direct link between physical activity and survival but also a positive correlation between increased activity and reduced cancer recurrence rates. The findings of this study have important implications for cancer centres and insurance plans, as they provide a clear model for implementing exercise-based care strategies into existing treatment protocols. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of continued research on the relationship between exercise and cancer, as this knowledge will eventually inform future interventions and improve patient outcomes.
Ultimately, the data from this study are now within the realm of public health improvement. They suggest that exercise can be a transformative tool in addressing cancer prevention, not just for individuals but also for those who are in the cancer community. The success of this exercise programme is already being celebrated by many, and the recommendations made by the study for promoting cancer prevention will likely become a cornerstone of future cancer care practices.
