Key points from article :
A major international study has shown that exercise can significantly improve survival in colon cancer patients. The trial involved 889 people who had completed chemotherapy. Half were enrolled in a structured three-year exercise program, while the other half received only healthy lifestyle leaflets. The exercise group was encouraged to exceed general fitness guidelines, aiming for three to four 45–60 minute sessions of brisk walking or other activities like swimming or dancing each week. They also received coaching—weekly for the first six months, then monthly.
After five years, 80% of the people in the exercise group were still cancer-free, compared to 74% in the control group. Eight years after treatment, 10% of those who exercised had died, compared to 17% of those who didn’t, showing a 37% lower risk of death. The research was carried out at Queen’s University Belfast and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The exact reason for this benefit is still unclear, but scientists believe it may relate to reduced inflammation, hormonal changes, and improved immune function. Experts say this could shift how we treat cancer—making exercise part of therapy, not just recovery. The findings may apply to other cancers too.
