We’ve always heard that regular exercise is good for us—it helps with heart health, diabetes, and mental well-being. But did you know it could also help cancer patients live longer and reduce the chances of the cancer coming back?
A major new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that even a modest, structured exercise routine can make a big difference for people recovering from cancer—especially colon cancer.
What the Study Found
Researchers followed nearly 900 colon cancer patients from 55 centers in six countries. All had already gone through treatment (surgery and chemo) for either stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer, which has a 30% chance of returning.
The patients were split into two groups:
- One group received standard advice about healthy eating and staying active.
- The other group took part in a guided exercise program with health coaches and supervised workouts.
Here’s the big news:
- Those who exercised had a 28% lower risk of their cancer coming back or a new cancer forming.
- They also had a 37% lower risk of dying during the study’s eight-year follow-up.
Why This Is Such a Big Deal
CNN spoke with Dr. Leana Wen, a respected physician and health policy expert. She explained that while past studies hinted at the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors, this is the first large randomized trial proving it can directly improve survival.
Dr. Wen put it simply: “If a new drug showed these results, doctors and patients would be lining up to use it. That’s how powerful this is.”
She hopes that cancer care will now include personalized “exercise prescriptions” just like medications—and that insurance companies might even cover health coaches as part of treatment.
What Kind of Exercise Helped?
Participants in the study didn’t run marathons or spend hours at the gym. They simply followed a structured plan:
- Worked with a coach twice a month for six months, then monthly.
- Focused on improving how far they could walk and boosting overall fitness.
- Had access to extra coaching sessions if needed.
These small but consistent efforts paid off—with real improvements in cardiovascular fitness and better long-term outcomes.
Bottom Line
Exercise isn’t just good for your heart—it could be life-saving for cancer survivors. This study makes a powerful case for making physical activity a standard part of cancer recovery plans.
If you or someone you love is recovering from cancer, talk to your doctor about adding a structured exercise program to the care plan. It might just be one of the most important steps toward long-term health.
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