New Exercise Program Significantly Reduces Cancer Recurrence and Improves Survival Rates

Exercising regularly in the three years following treatment for colon cancer can have a profound impact on patient outcomes, according to a new international study. The research, which followed 889 colon cancer patients who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy, found that those who participated in a structured exercise program were significantly less likely to experience a recurrence or the development of new cancers. Additionally, these individuals demonstrated a notably higher overall survival rate compared to those who received only educational health materials.

Participants in the exercise group were guided by coaches and encouraged to choose moderate-intensity activities—such as walking or pickleball—that suited their preferences and lifestyles. The recommended goal was two and a half hours of physical activity per week. At the eight-year follow-up, those involved in regular exercise were found to be 28% less likely to face cancer recurrence or develop new cancers and experienced a 37% improvement in overall survival rates, underscoring the powerful effect of ongoing physical activity after cancer treatment.

“Our findings show that exercise is no longer just a quality-of-life intervention for cancer patients that can be offered when and where possible,” explained Dr. Kerry Courneya, one of the study's co-chairs. “It is a treatment for colon cancer that must be made available to all patients.” This marks a significant shift in how post-cancer care may be approached in the future, treating exercise as an integral component of recovery rather than simply recommending it for general health.

The experiences of study participants further illustrate the impact of structured exercise support. Terri Swain-Collins, diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021, shared that working closely with a physiotherapist to establish a personalized fitness regimen was key to her recovery. She emphasized that having regular guidance and accountability made her exercise routine sustainable and ultimately contributed to her being cancer-free three years after her treatment. “Simply being told to exercise by a physician wouldn’t have been enough to get me to where I am today,” Swain-Collins reported.

This study is the first to directly assess the long-term survival benefits of structured exercise programs for colon cancer patients. The results offer compelling evidence for healthcare providers and systems to invest in behavior support programs as a staple of standard cancer care. As Dr. Chris Booth, another study co-chair, highlighted, integrating exercise into cancer treatment protocols could also prove to be remarkably cost-effective compared to many newer cancer therapies.

However, the increased physical activity did carry some elevated risks: 18.5% of exercisers reported muscle strains or injuries, compared to 11.5% among non-exercisers. Despite this, the substantial benefits in reducing cancer recurrence and improving survival make a strong case for incorporating such exercise programs into routine post-cancer care, with appropriate monitoring and support to minimize injury risks.

Colorectal cancer remains the third-most common cancer among men and women in the United States. Alarmingly, rates of diagnosis among people under 50 have been rising steadily, increasing by 2.4% per year between 2012 and 2021. The latest findings offer hope and concrete guidance for survivors and healthcare professionals alike—emphasizing that targeted lifestyle interventions like exercise can deliver real, measurable improvements in outcomes for colon cancer survivors.