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A brisk walk a few times a week could help keep colon cancer away, study suggests

CBC News
(7 months ago)
Melanie Glanz
CancerDiet and exerciseExercisePersonal trainers

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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️

A 15-year clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found that a structured exercise program significantly improves survival and reduces cancer recurrence for colon cancer patients. The study, involving 889 patients from Canada, Australia, and the UK, showed that 90% of participants in the exercise group were still living seven years after diagnosis, compared to 83% in the control group. For James Smith, a patient who participated, the program helped him regain control and is now cancer-free. Researchers, including lead author Kerry Courneya and senior author Dr. Chris Booth, advocate for structured exercise programs to be a standard part of colon cancer treatment, comparable in benefit to some chemotherapy drugs.

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  1. 1 15 years: Duration of the study.
  2. 2 June 2021: James Smith diagnosed with colon cancer.
  3. 3 June 1, 2025: Results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
  • The findings could have significant future implications for how colon cancer patients receive treatment.
  • Structured exercise programs should be strongly recommended as part of colon cancer treatment, comparable to chemotherapy.
  • Patients, doctors, and governments should be convinced to include structured exercise programs in their arsenal against cancer recurrence.
What: A clinical trial found that a structured exercise program significantly improves survival rates and reduces cancer recurrence for patients with high-risk Stage 2 and 3 colon cancer.
When: Study lasted for 15 years; results published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Sunday (June 1, 2025); James Smith diagnosed in June 2021.
Where: Canada, Australia, United Kingdom (countries where patients were enrolled); Queen's University in Kingston (Dr. Booth's institution); University of Alberta (Kerry Courneya's institution); Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto (Dr. Chadi's institution); Edmonton (James Smith's residence).
Why: Previous observational studies hinted at exercise benefits, but definitive evidence was needed to convince doctors and integrate exercise into standard treatment.
How: 889 patients were divided into two groups: one received a traditional pamphlet on diet and exercise, the other a structured exercise program for three years with a physiotherapist or personal trainer, focusing on elevated heart rate activities like brisk walking, biking, or swimming.

People

James SmithKerry CourneyaDr. Chris BoothDr. Sami Chadi

Organizations

New England Journal of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaQueen's UniversityPrincess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network

Locations

CanadaAustraliaUnited Kingdom KingstonTorontoEdmonton Greater Toronto AreaEdmonton Metropolitan Region

A 15-year clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found that a structured exercise program significantly improves survival and reduces cancer recurrence for colon cancer patients. The study, involving 889 patients from Canada, Australia, and the UK, showed that 90% of participants in the exercise group were still living seven years after diagnosis, compared to 83% in the control group. For James Smith, a patient who participated, the program helped him regain control and is now cancer-free. Researchers, including lead author Kerry Courneya and senior author Dr. Chris Booth, advocate for structured exercise programs to be a standard part of colon cancer treatment, comparable in benefit to some chemotherapy drugs.