Recurrence Prevention for Colon Cancer: Equal Significance of Physical Activity and Medications
Exercise Over Drug Treatments: A Game-Changer in Preventing Colon Cancer Recurrence
Colorectal cancer remains a significant global issue, ranking third in the world for cancer instances and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Current treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are common, but a new study is shaking up the status quo with an unexpected solution – structured exercise programs.
Canadian scientists have recently identified that such programs, taken after initial treatments, could offer more effective prevention against colon cancer recurrence than drug treatments. The study was published in the renowned New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Intriguingly, patients following a supervised exercise program were found to have a reduced risk of recurrence by 28%, and a lower risk of death from any cause by a staggering 37%.
The findings have experts applauding, with some suggesting that exercise may prove to be 'better than a drug' in preventing colon cancer recurrence. The Primary appeal of these exercise programs lies in their ability to offer potent benefits without the often-discouraging side effects associated with other treatments.
Health Advice vs. Exercise Programs for Cancer Prevention
Researchers recruited participants for this study, which was part of the Colon Health and Lifelong Exercise Change (CHALLENGE) trial. Participants, mostly hailing from Canada and Australia, underwent surgery for stage 3 or high-risk stage 2 colon cancer followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. They ranged in age from 19 to 84 years.
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The exercise group received support from certified physical activity consultants for 3 years, attending weekly sessions during the first six months, fortnightly sessions during the second six months, and monthly sessions for the following two years. Participants could choose the type, frequency, and intensity of aerobic exercise, aiming for 3-4 brisk 45-60 minute walks a week.
In contrast, the health-education group received general health-education materials promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition, in addition to standard surveillance.
Findings from the study revealed that at a median follow-up of 7.9 years, 93 people in the exercise group and 131 in the health-education group had experienced a recurrence or death from cancer or another cause. The exercise group did not lose weight but demonstrated significant improvements in physical functioning and longer disease-free survival.
Exercise as a Cancer Prevention Tool
Dr. Kerry S. Courneya, the lead author of the study, expressed that the most significant finding of their study was the overall improvement in survival. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, echoed these sentiments, stating that the findings suggest exercise could be "better than a drug" for improving cancer patient outcomes due to its absence of related side effects.
Experts emphasize the importance of integrating structured exercise programs into treatment plans for colon cancer, as they offer tangible benefits in terms of reducing recurrence and improving survival rates, all while avoiding the usual side effects associated with drug treatments. Moreover, these programs can be significantly cheaper than medication.
It's essential to address the barriers that prevent people from partaking in regular exercise. The support and tailored advice are crucial for individuals who wish to take part in these programs, yet sometimes face challenges in adopting a more active lifestyle.
Backed by robust evidence, structured exercise programs have become a vital component in the comprehensive care of colon cancer patients. These programs' ability to provide benefits in preventing recurrence, improving survival, and enhancing quality of life make them a promising alternative or supplement to traditional drug treatments.
- In the world of oncology, colorectal cancer continues to be a significant medical condition, often leading to chronic diseases and potentially fatal outcomes.
- As common treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are widely used, a groundbreaking study suggest that structured exercise programs might offer superior prevention against colorectal cancer recurrence compared to drug treatments.
- The study findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrate a 28% reduction in recurrence risk and a startling 37% lower risk of any cause mortality for patients adhering to these exercise programs.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, exercise might prove to be 'better than a drug' in preventing colorectal cancer recurrence, due to its potent benefits and absence of side effects often associated with other treatments.
- To understand the impact of exercise programs, researchers conducted the Colon Health and Lifelong Exercise Change (CHALLENGE) trial, involving participants who underwent surgery and chemotherapy for stage 3 or high-risk stage 2 colon cancer.
- The study results indicate that, while both groups demonstrated improvements, the exercise group exhibited increased physical functioning and a longer disease-free survival, emphasizing the potential of fitness-and-exercise as an essential tool in the prevention and management of colorectal cancer.
