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Business Insider
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Insider
Doctors stunned to see strict exercise regimen is as good as medicine for colon cancer
Scientists and doctors love to joke that exercise is a pretty great drug. But can workouts really compete with chemotherapy to prevent a disease like recurrent colon cancer? That's been tough to prove — until now. Results of the first randomized controlled trial of exercise as a treatment for recurrent high-risk cancer were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago on June 1, and they stunned the crowd of doctors gathered there from around the world. The 17-year trial included over 880 patients from around the globe, each recovering from high-risk stage 2 or stage 3 colon cancer after treatment. Half of the participants were given general advice about exercise and how it can improve cancer survival. The other half were given a structured, three-year exercise prescription to follow, with the goal of preventing recurrence or a new cancer diagnoses. In the trial, exercise outperformed what adjuvant (or, secondary) chemotherapy can do to boost a patient's long-term survival, after surgery and primary treatment is over. Adjuvant cancer treatment is the kind designed to kill any extra cancer cells left behind, and prevent cancer from coming back. "Exercise is no longer just an intervention that improves quality of life and fitness. It is a treatment," Chris Booth, the study's lead author and a medical oncologist at Queen's University in Ontario, told the crowd. Brisk walking prevented recurrent colon cancer, plus new breast and prostate cases In the study, patients who followed an exercise regimen reduced their risk of death by 37%, and reduced their risk of cancer recurrence and new cancer development by 28%. The benefits of this three-year exercise prescription — which included advice and support from a trainer or physical therapist — were also long-lasting. After eight years, 90% of patients in the exercise program were alive compared to 83% in the control group. This 7% survival bump is comparable to (and in some cases exceeds) the survival benefits of standard drugs that doctors use in this same context. The common adjuvant chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin gives patients an overall survival boost of 5% after 10 years. Many other adjuvant cancer drugs deliver similar survival benefits, of around 5 to 10%. The effect didn't seem to be due to other factors. Patients didn't lose weight or belly fat, and no meaningful difference was seen in fatal heart attacks. The exercisers also weren't turning into Olympic athletes; they were just doing the equivalent of about 1.5 to 2.25 extra hours of brisk walking each week. In addition to reducing colon cancer diagnoses and deaths, the exercise also seemed to reduce the risk of other cancers. In the exercise group, there were two new cases of breast cancer diagnosed, compared to 12 cases among the controls. Other cancer doctors at the conference were shocked at the magnitude of the effect even though they've always kind of known exercise is good for cancer. Exercise is generally recommended to patients in recovery to improve outcomes. But to beat standard chemotherapy drugs? That was impressive. Dr. Paul Oberstein, a medical oncologist at NYU Langone who was not involved in the study, said he'd like to bring this treatment to his patients, maybe with some help from wearables like watches, and on-demand fitness classes people can access at home. "If you could somehow package this and bill it as a drug, it would be very valuable because the benefit was really remarkable," he said. Scientists are still figuring out why exercise is so great at preventing and treating cancer Researchers are still studying the blood samples of patients who were in this study, drilling down into what might be driving the anti-cancer effects from exercise. Oberstein suspects that exercise is probably doing something that's powerfully anti-inflammatory in the body, reducing tumor growth, and preventing cancer's spread. At least, that's what he observes when he studies mice on treadmills in his lab. "Of course, mice on treadmills are not really people," he said, chuckling. "But what we see, and what we think might be applying, is that they have less inflammation." Other researchers think that perhaps exercise is revving up the immune system, engaging in what's called "immune surveillance" against cancer. "These are very hard things to measure over a long period of time," Oberstein said. Booth, who's been an avid long-distance runner ever since he was a kid, said this treatment should now be offered to any recovering colon cancer patient who wants it. "This intervention is empowering for patients, it is achievable for patients, and with a cost that is far lower than our standard," he said near the end of his talk. Slowly, but surely, the whole crowd stood up and burst into a sustained and hearty standing ovation.
Associated Press
01-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
World-first clinical trial confirms exercise improves survival for colon cancer
A Canadian Cancer Society-funded trial reveals that guided exercise can save and prolong lives by reducing risk of cancer recurrence and second cancers TORONTO, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - A groundbreaking clinical trial funded by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) shows that physical activity can significantly improve outcomes for people with colon cancer. Researchers say the study is the first in the world to use structured exercise to increase cancer survival. The trial results, presented today at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual conference and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, have the potential to change clinical practice. They show that, when incorporated into cancer care for people with colon cancer, a structured exercise program reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and of new primary cancers developing. '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,' says study co-chair Dr Kerry Courneya, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Alberta and Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer. 'It is a treatment for colon cancer that must be made available to all patients.' Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada. Last year, an estimated 25,200 Canadians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 9,400 people died from it. To improve outcomes, a team led by Dr Courneya and Dr Chris Booth – study co-chair, medical oncologist at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and professor of oncology at Queen's University – has been working with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) on this first-of-its kind trial. The 17-year international trial involved 889 people, all of whom had been diagnosed with and treated for colon cancer. After having surgery and chemotherapy, participants were given a 3-year structured exercise program or standard health education materials that are currently given to patients. Each participant in the exercise program chose their own forms of moderate-intensity exercise – from walking to pickleball – with the goal of adding 2.5 hours of exercise per week to their regular activity schedule. The outcome: those who received the exercise program had a 28% lower risk of recurrence and new cancers and a 37% lower risk of death. 'This is the first clinical trial in the world designed to answer whether exercise can improve cancer survival, and the results are clear,' says Dr Booth. 'The next step is to put this into practice. That means health systems will need to invest in behaviour support programs as part of standard care.' The researchers are currently conducting a comprehensive health economic analysis. According to Dr Booth, they anticipate that the program will be 'remarkably cost-effective compared to many new cancer drugs,' making it sustainable for health systems. Terri's story Terri Swain-Collins was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021 after a screening test led to further investigation. Following treatment including surgery and chemotherapy, she was invited to join Dr Booth and Dr Courneya's clinical trial. During the trial, she worked closely with a physiotherapist to establish and maintain a fitness routine personalized to her needs. 'One of the biggest benefits was having a semi-structured routine that works for my lifestyle with someone to hold me accountable,' says Terri. 'Simply being told to exercise by a physician wouldn't have been enough to get me to where I am today; having someone walk alongside me, guide me and check in regularly was what truly made it possible.' Now, 3 years later, Terri continues to walk 3 times a week, feels fit and remains cancer-free. She says she is grateful for the impact of the program on her health and well-being. 'By bridging the gap between bold ideas and routine practice, clinical trials are essential to driving research progress that can benefit patients,' says Dr Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Mission, Research and Advocacy at CCS. 'The results of this trial have the potential to save and improve lives for the tens of thousands of people in Canada affected by colorectal cancer each year, and we are proud our donors enabled us to support it.' The international study co-chair was Dr Janette Vardy, from The University of Sydney (Australia) with funding from National Health and Medical Research Council. The UK team was led by Dr Victoria Coyle at Queen's University of Belfast, supported by Cancer Research UK. About the Canadian Cancer Society The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We raise funds to fuel the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. Together with patients, supporters, donors and volunteers, we work to create a healthier future for everyone. Because to take on cancer, it takes all of us. It takes a society. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit today. About the Canadian Cancer Trials Group The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) is a cancer clinical trials research cooperative that runs phase I–III trials to test anti-cancer and supportive therapies at over 85 hospitals and cancer centres across Canada. From their operations centre at Queen's University, CCTG has supported more than 600 trials enrolling 100,000 patients from 40 countries on 6 continents through a global network of 20,000 investigators and clinical trial staff. CCTG is the Canadian Coordinating Clinical Trial Network for the US NCTN and is a national program of the Canadian Cancer Society. CCTG's aim is to improve survival and quality of life for all people with cancer. Learn more at SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)
