Daijiworld Media Network - New York
New York, Feb 24: Regular physical activity may not only lower the risk of developing cancer but also significantly improve survival rates in those who have undergone treatment, according to new research.
A team of researchers from Louisiana State University in the US examined the long-term survival rates of colon cancer survivors, who often face a higher risk of premature death compared to the general population. To explore whether exercise could bridge this gap, they analyzed data from two post-treatment trials involving patients with stage 3 colon cancer.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal CANCER, assessed physical activity levels reported by 2,875 patients after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. Exercise levels were measured in metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week, with health guidelines recommending around 8 MET-hours weekly, equivalent to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.
The findings revealed that patients who engaged in less than 3 MET-hours of physical activity per week had a 17.1% lower survival rate over three years compared to the general population. In contrast, those who exercised more than 18 MET-hours weekly had only a 3.5% reduction in survival rates, showing a significant improvement. A second trial showed similar results, with the survival rate gap narrowing to 4.4% for more active patients.
The study suggests that maintaining higher levels of physical activity can reduce—and potentially eliminate—disparities in survival rates among colon cancer survivors. Researchers noted that individuals who remained tumor-free three years after treatment and consistently exercised experienced even better survival outcomes.
“This new information can help colon cancer patients understand that factors within their control—such as their physical activity levels—can have a meaningful impact on their long-term prognosis,” said lead author Justin C. Brown from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.