Colon cancer survivors now have a surprise recovery tool: Study shows exercise prevents recurrence. What are takeaways? | Health and Wellness News
Exercise has always been a key pillar of post-surgery recovery. Now a breakthrough global study has shown it can reduce chances of cancer recurrence, lower the risk of cancer patients dying by a third and can even be more effective than drugs.
The study, involving patients from the US, UK, Australia, France, Canada and Israel, found that a structured exercise programme following surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer reduced patients’ chances of cancer recurring by 28% compared with patients given only health advice. The study also found that structured exercise reduced the risk of death from any cause by 37%. Drugs get approved for lesser efficacy and can even be toxic, the study authors said.
The results were presented in Chicago at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, the world’s largest cancer conference, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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According to Dr Amanjeet Singh, Senior Director, GI Surgery, GI Oncology and Bariatric Surgery, Gastro Sciences, Medanta, Gurugram, “Exercise improves patient tolerance to treatment and recovery after surgery. It improves the functioning of the gut and feeds beneficial gut microbes, reducing prolonged exposure to carcinogens in the colon.”
Can you explain how exercise helps post-surgical patients of colon cancer?
Regular physical activity positively impacts cell division and growth in our bodies that may influence cancer outcomes as well, especially in colon cancer. Exercise boosts the good bacteria in the gut which repair the gut linings and barriers against pathogens. It improves metabolism, reduces body fat and can starve tumours by increasing glucose demand from internal organs.
Exercise can help regulate levels of insulin in the body. Studies have shown the link between elevated insulin levels and the development of breast, prostate and colorectal cancers.
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Exercise further reduces systemic inflammation and boosts surveillance, which is a constant process by which the immune system looks for and recognises foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses or precancerous or cancerous cells in the body. This enables the body to better detect and destroy residual cancer cells.
How can a structured exercise programme be more effective than drug treatments?
Structured exercise is not a replacement for drug therapy. However, it offers systemic and long-term benefits that drugs alone cannot provide. While chemotherapy targets specific cancer cells, exercise improves the body’s overall physiology. Together, they create an internal environment less favourable for cancer recurrence. So, exercise can be a powerful companion to conventional therapy.
How can an exercise regime be implemented for cancer patients and those with a family history of colon cancer?
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For cancer survivors, exercise should be integrated into long-term care. Any programme should be tailored to the patient’s condition and gradually intensified under supervision, especially in the early recovery phase. A mix of aerobic and strength training for 150 minutes per week is ideal. For individuals with a family history of colon cancer, an active lifestyle adopted early on can be preventive. Regular physical activity, combined with a balanced diet, reduced red meat intake and routine screening, can significantly reduce risk.
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