Latest news with #MargaretTubridy
Sky News
2 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Exercise may benefit colon cancer patients as much as some drugs, study finds
Regular exercise after treatment cuts the risk of death in cancer patients by more than a third, a new study has found. Sports and movement could help stop the disease from coming back, as well as boosting mood, energy levels and strength, researchers found in a trial which could "transform" medical practice. Various types of moderate intensity exercise met the bar, including 40 minutes of brisk walking, a half-hour jog, circuit classes, cycling, or swimming. What did the study involve? The CO21 Challenge trial recruited 889 people with colon cancer from six countries, including the UK. All patients had had surgery and chemotherapy for their cancer and were deemed well enough to exercise, but were not very active. One group was given a highly tailored three-year exercise programme, which included in-person coaching sessions for the first six months, and regular meetings with a physical activity consultant. The other group were simply offered materials promoting exercise and nutrition. After five years, the risk of dying, relapse or developing a new cancer was 28% lower in the group with bespoke exercise plans - even though adherence to the programme decreased. And after eight years, the risk of death had fallen to 37%. 2:33 Margaret Tubridy from North Belfast said she was "chuffed to bits" after taking part in the study. "I had never been to a gym before, but once I was shown how to use the machines and do the exercises, I loved it," the 69-year-old said. "Now I do weight training twice a week, pole walking, and I'm in a walking group... I am stronger, fitter, and my anxiety is better." The paper adds to a stash of evidence of the multifarious benefits of exercise, from treating depression to reducing the chances of dementia. Professor David Sebag-Montefiore from Leeds University, who was not involved with the new study, called it an "exciting breakthrough". The "great appeal" of such exercise is that it "offers the benefits without the downside of the well-known side effects of our other treatments". Why recommendations might not be adopted Colon cancer kills around 9,500 people a year in the UK. Dr Marco Gerlinger, professor of gastrointestinal cancer medicine at Queen Mary University of London, told Sky News the results indicate that "exercise has a similarly strong effect as previously shown for chemotherapy, which is really quite impressive". "The exercise is after patients have completed their chemotherapy, so it can't replace it. "But the effect size of exercise is similar to what chemo achieves. So it's not a replacement, but further reduces the risk." Patients are usually keen to know what they can do to reduce the chances of the cancer returning, he added. "Oncologists can now make a very clear evidence-based recommendation." But he said support from a professional would very likely be necessary, and other experts raised concerns about the costs of labour-intensive programmes. Caroline Geraghty, senior specialist information nurse at Cancer Research UK, which part-funded the CO21 Challenge through Stand Up To Cancer, said: "This trial has the potential to transform clinical practice, but only if health services have the necessary funding and staff to make it a reality for patients." Dr Joe Henson, associate professor in lifestyle medicine at the University of Leicester, said: "Leading the exercise sessions in Leicester, I saw first-hand that this reduced fatigue, lifted people's mood, and boosted their physical strength. "We know that physical activity regulates several key biological processes that could explain these results, and further research will help us uncover why exercise is having such a positive impact." The findings were published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Brisk walks could cut risk of death for colon cancer patients by more than a third, study finds
A structured exercise routine can reduce the risk of death for people with colon cancer by more than a third, a study has found. The results, unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference on Sunday, could transform how colon cancer is treated around the world, the researchers said. The scientists hope the findings will prompt healthcare providers to integrate exercise plans into routine cancer care. The CO21 CHALLENGE trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed 889 people with colon cancer across six countries, including the UK. It found that a structured exercise programme significantly reduced the likelihood of the disease returning and improved overall survival compared with standard advice. After five years, 80 per cent of patients who followed a tailored exercise regime were cancer-free, compared with 74 per cent of those who were offered just health education materials. This means the risk of dying, cancer coming back, or developing a new cancer was 28 per cent lower in the exercise group. After eight years, survival rates were 90 per cent in the exercise group compared to 83 per cent in the health education group, representing a 37 per cent lower risk of death. More than 31,000 people in the UK die from colon cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK. The study was part-funded by Cancer Research UK's Stand Up To Cancer campaign and carried out in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). The three-year programme saw patients supported by physical activity consultants, starting with weekly in-person sessions for the first six months and moving to monthly sessions either in person or online. Activities were tailored to the individual, from brisk walking to gym-based circuit training. Among the patients to benefit from the trial was Margaret Tubridy, 69, from north Belfast. Before her cancer diagnosis, she said she had never exercised. Now, five years on, she says she is lifting weights, pole walking and taking part in gym classes twice a week. 'It's been almost five years since my cancer diagnosis and if I meet anyone, I tell them I am doing great,' she said. 'Taking part in the trial helped me so much – I am stronger, fitter, and my anxiety is better. I never thought at 69 years of age I would be able to do all of this – I am chuffed to bits.' Professor Vicky Coyle, UK lead researcher and clinical professor at Queen's University Belfast, said the study gives 'clear and encouraging' evidence that physical activity can reduce colon cancer mortality. 'We now need to work with policymakers and healthcare providers to embed exercise into treatment plans where appropriate,' she said. Cancer Research UK said the findings should act as a wake-up call for health services, adding it could 'transform clinical practice'. However, Caroline Geraghty, senior specialist information nurse at the charity, said this can only happen 'if health services have the necessary funding and staff to make it a reality for patients'. She added: 'It's important to remember that every cancer journey is different – starting new activities after treatment can feel overwhelming, and it may not be the right option for everyone. Take things at your own pace and speak to your doctor to discuss what is safe for you.' The researchers said more work is needed to explore the biological mechanisms behind exercise's effect on cancer, but the evidence is already strong enough to prompt urgent action.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast woman ‘chuffed to bits' after taking part in landmark trial that ‘could transform cancer treatment'
The CO21 Challenge trial, led by researchers in Northern Ireland and Canada, involved 889 people with colon cancer from six countries, including the UK. The study found a structured exercise routine can reduce the risk of death for people with colon cancer by more than a third. The results, unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference yesterday, could transform how colon cancer is treated around the world, the researchers said. The scientists hope the findings will prompt healthcare providers to integrate exercise plans into routine cancer care. The CO21 Challenge trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that a structured exercise programme significantly reduced the likelihood of the disease returning and improved overall survival compared with standard advice. After five years, 80% of patients who followed a tailored exercise regime were cancer-free, compared with 74% of those who were offered just health education materials. This means the risk of dying, cancer coming back, or developing a new cancer was 28% lower in the exercise group. After eight years, survival rates were 90% in the exercise group compared to 83% in the health education group, representing a 37% lower risk of death. More than 31,000 people in the UK die from colon cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK. The study was part-funded by Cancer Research UK's Stand Up To Cancer campaign and carried out in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). The three-year programme saw patients supported by physical activity consultants, starting with weekly in-person sessions for the first six months and moving to monthly sessions either in person or online. Activities were tailored to the individual, from brisk walking to gym-based circuit training. Among the patients to benefit from the trial was Margaret Tubridy (69), from north Belfast. Before her cancer diagnosis, she said she had never exercised. Now, five years on, she says she is lifting weights, pole walking and taking part in gym classes twice a week. 'I wanted to take part in the trial to help other people living with cancer,' she said. 'I had never exercised in my life, but with the right support and encouragement I was able to walk more and more. 'From there I started going to classes at the gym and now I do weight training twice a week, pole walking, and I'm in a walking group. I had never been to a gym before, but once I was shown how to use the machines and do the exercises, I loved it. Margaret, who is originally from north Belfast but has lived most of her life in Glengormley, is now retired but worked as a receptionist for Mercedes-Benz for 26 years. 'It's been almost five years since my cancer diagnosis, and if I meet anyone I tell them I am doing great,' she added. 'Taking part in the trial helped me so much. I am stronger, fitter, and my anxiety is better. I never thought at 69 years of age I would be able to do all of this. I am chuffed to bits.' Professor Vicky Coyle, UK lead researcher and clinical professor at Queen's University Belfast, said the study gives 'clear and encouraging' evidence that physical activity can reduce colon cancer mortality. 'We now need to work with policymakers and healthcare providers to embed exercise into treatment plans where appropriate,' she said. Cancer Research UK said the findings should act as a wake-up call for health services, adding it could 'transform clinical practice'. However, Caroline Geraghty, senior specialist information nurse at the charity, said this can only happen 'if health services have the necessary funding and staff to make it a reality for patients'. She added: 'It's important to remember that every cancer journey is different. Starting new activities after treatment can feel overwhelming, and it may not be the right option for everyone. Take things at your own pace and speak to your doctor to discuss what is safe for you.' The researchers said more work is needed to explore the biological mechanisms behind exercise's effect on cancer, but the evidence is already strong enough to prompt urgent action.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Now I do weight training': how exercise helped one patient stay free of cancer
A landmark study shows exercise can reduce the risk of cancer patients dying by more than a third. The world's first randomised clinical trial specifically evaluated if a structured exercise regime after treatment could reduce the risk of recurrence or new cancers in patients. Hailed as game-changing by experts, the results show it could. The trial found patients had a 37% lower risk of death and a 28% lower risk of their cancer coming back or new cancers developing, compared with patients who received only health advice. Margaret Tubridy was one of 889 patients with colon cancer recruited to the trial from six countries – the UK, US, Australia, France, Canada and Israel. Originally from Northern Ireland, Tubridy, a retiree who worked as a receptionist for Mercedes Benz for 26 years, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 64. Having previously never exercised, the grandmother of five joined the trial after her treatment. She was among 445 patients randomly assigned to participate in a structured exercise regime, seeing a personal trainer twice a month, and later once a month, for three years. The other 444 patients in the trial were given a booklet with healthy lifestyle advice. The exercise group were coached and supported to help them achieve set goals. Their weekly target was the equivalent of three to four walks of between 45 and 60 minutes, but patients could choose how to be more active. Some, for example, went kayaking or skiing. Today, Tubridy, now 69, is free of cancer, healthy and shows no signs of the disease coming back. 'I wanted to take part in the trial to help other people living with cancer. I had never exercised in my life, but with the right support and encouragement I was able to walk more and more. 'From there I started going to classes at the gym, and now I do weight training twice a week, pole walking, and I'm in a walking group. I had never been to a gym before, but once I was shown how to use the machines and do the exercises, I loved it. 'It's been almost five years since my cancer diagnosis and if I meet anyone, I tell them I am doing great. Taking part in the trial helped me so much. I am stronger, fitter, and my anxiety is better. I never thought at 69 years of age I would be able to do all of this. I am chuffed to bits.' Prof Vicky Coyle, the UK lead researcher for the trial and a clinical professor at Queen's University Belfast, said: 'During the trial, we supported people to reach their weekly exercise target in a way that worked for them. This could be a brisk walk for around 40 minutes every day, but some patients were also doing circuit classes, cycling, swimming and many other activities.' The results provided 'clear, encouraging evidence' that exercise could reduce the risk of cancer returning, she said. 'We now need to work with policymakers and healthcare providers to embed exercise into treatment plans where appropriate.'
