Brisk walking key to colon cancer survival, reduced recurrence: study

A new 15-year clinical study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that structured exercise significantly improves survival rates in colon cancer patients.

Among 889 stage II and III high-risk patients from 55 hospitals across Canada, Australia, and the UK, those who followed a three-year structured exercise program had a 90% survival rate seven years after diagnosis, compared to 83% in those who only received an instructional booklet.

Participants in the exercise group worked with a physical therapist or trainer monthly and chose their preferred activity — such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or gym workouts — three times a week for up to 45 minutes.

The study also showed a lower cancer recurrence rate in the exercise group, with 80% remaining cancer-free five years after diagnosis versus 74% in the booklet-only group. Colon cancer typically recurs in 30–40% of patients.

Lead researcher Dr. Chris Booth of Queen’s University noted that the benefits of exercise, when combined with standard treatment, are comparable to those of some chemotherapy drugs.

While the exact reason behind the positive impact of exercise remains unclear, the findings could significantly influence future treatment approaches for one of the world’s most comm
on cancers.