KHSC, Queen's study shows exercise greatly improves recovery from colon cancer

Patients that were prescribed regular exercise had an 80 percent survival rate and a 28 percent chance of the cancer returning.

That treadmill or stationary bike that's been gathering dust maybe the key for patients recovering from colon cancer.

Researchers with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group at Queen's University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, and the KHSC Research Institute conducted a clinical trial on colon cancer patients over the last 17 years.

The report suggests that patients who were prescribed an exercise program after completing surgery and chemotherapy show vast improvement in recovery compared to those who had regular check ups and blood tests.

Dr. Christopher Booth is a Professor of Oncology at Queen’s University, medical oncologist at KHSC, and co-chair of the study.

He says their findings reveal that the survival rate in colon cancer patients who exercise regularly was outstanding.

Booth says a previous study inspired them to look into this method even further.

 
889 patients who were treated for stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer took part in what is being called a landmark trial and a turning point in cancer care.

Patients in the exercise group were given 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise to their regular activities each week. 

The study showed that patients who continue with the exercise program after five years have an 80 percent survival rate compared to 74 per cent for those who received educational materials. 

That number jumps to 90 percent after 8 years in the exercise group compared to 83 percent in the other group.

The exercise group also had a 28 percent lower risk of cancer returning or new one developing after 5 years and 37 percent after 8 years.

Booth says they haven't yet narrowed down the specific reason regular exercise has contributed to the improvement in the survival rate in colon cancer patients.

Booth says the trial has shown promise to cancer patients who were able to regain their energy that had been drained from the chemo treatments.

Booth says what the study has also shown is that physical activity can be part of the overall health care system.

The results were presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) at their annual meeting this past Sunday.

Story by Ken Hashizume