A simple lifestyle change could potentially extend the lives of people diagnosed with colon cancer, and it’s something they can start at home or in a gym.
New research published Monday in Cancer, a journal of the American Cancer Society, links regular physical activity with improved survival rates for colon cancer patients.
“While cancer treatments have advanced and many patients now live longer than in the past, survival after a diagnosis is still generally shorter than for the average person,” said Dr. Justin Brown, the study’s lead author and director of the Cancer Metabolism Program at Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Centre.
“Our study indicates that engaging in physical activity after being diagnosed with colon cancer could help patients not only extend their lifespan but, in some cases, even reach or surpass the life expectancy of those without cancer,” Brown explained.
Experts have long recognised that exercise benefits cancer patients, but less was known about whether it could help restore survival rates to levels seen in individuals who never had cancer, according to Dr. Keith Diaz, a behavioural medicine expert at Columbia University Medical Centre in New York.
Diaz, who was not involved in the study, noted that the findings offer hope to both those undergoing treatment and those in remission.
Growing Concerns Over Colon Cancer in Younger Adults
By 2030, colorectal cancer is projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among adults aged 20 to 49 in the United States.
This makes understanding the impact of lifestyle factors such as exercise even more critical, Brown said.
ALSO READ: Parliament Raises Alarm Over Police Pursuit of Pirate Taxis and Commuter Omnibuses
How Exercise May Help Fight Cancer
To explore the link between physical activity and survival, researchers surveyed nearly 3,000 colon cancer patients about their exercise habits during and after chemotherapy.
The patients were monitored for about six years, with researchers comparing their actual lifespan to the predicted lifespan based on age, sex, and year of diagnosis.
The results showed that those who maintained regular physical activity lived longer and had a lower risk of cancer recurrence, Diaz said.
While the study was observational, meaning it does not confirm that exercise directly caused the improved survival rates, it aligns with what scientists already know about the benefits of staying active.
“The advantages of exercise after a colon cancer diagnosis are wide-ranging,” Diaz explained. “It strengthens heart health, enhances mental well-being, and improves gut function, all of which play crucial roles in long-term survival.”
The Science Behind Exercise and Cancer Prevention
Although researchers are still uncovering the exact biological mechanisms, physical activity appears to create an environment less conducive to cancer growth, Diaz noted.
Exercise helps lower inflammation and insulin levels, two factors that can fuel cancer cell growth and spread. It also strengthens the immune system, making it more efficient at detecting and destroying cancer cells.
For patients facing a colon cancer diagnosis, these findings offer reassurance that certain lifestyle choices remain within their control.
“A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but this research provides patients and their families with something tangible they can do to support their health,” Brown said.
