Exercise In Colon Cancer Patients

The Study

In this interesting study, researchers wanted to see if exercise influenced survival among subjects diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. After treatment, subjects had their exercise monitored for 3 years. Survival was compared to people of the same age that did not have colon cancer. The results were impressive:

-Subjects that completed 18 or more METS per week (equivalent to walking briskly for about 5 hours per week) had a survival rate that was only 3.5% lower than the general, healthy population.

-Subjects that completed less than 3 METS per week (equivalent to walking briskly for less than 1 hour per week) had a survival rate that was 17.1% lower than the general population. 

Cancer 2025:E35727

Take Home Message

It is amazing to me that moderate exercise can increase survival so dramatically after a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis. It just goes to show you how powerful the influence of physical activity is on our health.  

The researchers were not sure of the mechanisms. One possibility is that exercise decreases inflammation. Another is that the exercise improves insulin function. Both of these may act to reduce cancer recurrence.

Whatever the reason, physical activity should be a big part of any colon cancer treatment plan.