A new study, published in Cancer, finds that colon cancer survivors who engage in regular physical activity can achieve survival rates similar to those who never had cancer.
A new study brings hope to colon cancer survivors, suggesting that regular exercise could help them live just as long as people who have never had cancer. This research is particularly relevant in our region – once an infrequent disease, the rate of colorectal cancer in recent decades in Asia has been steadily increasing.
What the Study Found
Researchers looked at information from a large group of people who had survived stage III colon cancer. They compared how long these survivors lived to people of similar age and background who never had cancer. The exciting discovery was that cancer survivors who exercised regularly after their treatment had similar, and sometimes even better, chances of living longer compared to those who never had cancer.
The research team analysed data from two large-scale clinical trials involving patients diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. These trials, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 89803 and 80702, provided a wealth of information on patients’ physical activity levels and long-term health outcomes.
Instead of comparing survival rates among cancer patients with different activity levels, the researchers matched each cancer patient with an individual from the general population who shared similar characteristics such as age, sex, and year. This allowed for a more meaningful comparison between cancer survivors and those who had never been diagnosed with the disease.
Key Findings: Activity Levels Matter
The results were encouraging. Colon cancer survivors who engaged in higher levels of physical activity after completing their chemotherapy treatment showed survival rates that closely approached – and in some cases even exceeded – those of their matched counterparts from the general population.
In pooled analyses of the two trials, among the 1,908 patients who were alive and did not have cancer recurrence by year three, those with <3.0 and ≥18.0 MET-hours/week had subsequent 3-year overall survival rates that were 3.1% lower and 2.9% higher than the matched general population, respectively.
What are METs?
MET, or metabolic equivalent, is a ratio of your working metabolic rate relative to your resting metabolic rate. It is a way to describe the intensity of an activity.
1 MET = energy spent at rest
4 MET = an activity where you are exerting four times the energy than that of resting
A brisk walk is about 4 METs, while a vigorous session of jumprope has a MET value of 12.3.
If one does a 4 MET activity for 30 minutes, they have done 4 x 30 = 120 MET-minutes (or 2.0 MET-hours) of physical activity.
The study revealed a clear trend: as physical activity levels increased, so did the likelihood of survival rates matching or surpassing those of the general population.
“This new information can help patients with colon cancer understand how factors that they can control – their physical activity levels – can have a meaningful impact on their long-term prognosis,” said lead author Justin C. Brown, PhD, of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.
Closing the Survival and Quality of Life Gap
Generally, colon cancer survivors have faced lower life expectancy compared to those without a cancer history. This study suggests that regular physical activity could be a key factor in closing this gap.
While the study primarily focused on survival rates, the researchers also noted that physical activity offers numerous other benefits for cancer survivors. The health benefits achieved by physical activity make promoting physical activity a cornerstone to optimising colon cancer survivorship.
Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, happiness, and several quality of life factors in cancer survivors. Studies of people with cancers of the breast, prostate and colon suggest that physically active cancer survivors have a lower risk of cancer recurrence and improved survival compared with those who are inactive.
Physical activity isn’t just about living longer, it’s about living better.
What This Means for You
If you or a loved one has survived colon cancer, this study offers encouraging news. It suggests that by staying active, you might be able to improve your chances of living a long and healthy life.
How Much Exercise is Needed?
The study found that the best results came from over 18 MET-hours a week. This can be achieved through:
- 40min of brisk walking every day
- 1 hour of medium-effort swimming, twice a week
- 3 1h-sessions of aerobics throughout the week
Of course, one can also aim to get the same amount of physical activity through a mix of activities like cycling, jogging, or dancing spread throughout the week.
A survey conducted by National Cancer Centre, Singapore revealed that while almost 9 in 10 cancer patients are motivated to exercise after completing their treatment, over half of them find it hard to due to cancer symptoms and side effects.
For people with cancer, care and guidance is needed to allow them to start exercising safely. A support system via friends, family and the community is also important.
“On its own, numerous studies indicate that regular exercise may significantly enhance both psychological and physical well-being for patients with all types of cancer during all stages of therapy.” shared Dr Donald Poon, Medical Oncologist at Dr D.Y.H Poon & Associates Medical Oncology Clinic.
“Physical activity is found to improve fatigue, decrease the severity of side effects from cancer therapies and enhance mental health.”
Take-Home Message
For colon cancer survivors and their families, this research offers a message of hope and empowerment. While cancer can feel like it takes control away, this suggests that through regular exercise, survivors can be able to take some of that control back.
It is never too late to start. Whether you’re a recent survivor or have been cancer-free for years, adding more physical activity to your life could have significant benefits. Start small, be consistent, and most importantly, choose activities that you enjoy.
“Some cancer therapies, such as surgery, and some types of cancer, such as those affecting the bone, may require you to refrain from exercises or certain movements for a while. If you experience pain or mobility issues, you may want to engage a physical therapist who specialises in helping you manage pain, restore function and start exercising in safety.” Dr Poon added.
As always, speak with your healthcare team before starting a new exercise routine. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific needs and help you create a safe and effective plan that works for you.
