A Fresh Perspective on Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Exercise Over Medications?
Exercise holds equal significance as medication in thwarting cancer recurrence, particularly colon cancer.
Who knew that lacing up those sneakers could be the key to fighting colorectral cancer? This third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for a gut-wrenching 10% of all cancer cases, might just have met its match in a structured exercise program. Don't snort that Laughing Cow cheese just yet, folks!
According to the recent findings from a Canadian-led study, a well-organized workout routine post-surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer, could slash the patient's chances of cancer recurrence by a whopping 28% compared to those doled out only general health advice[1][3][4]. Moreover, this entire shebang could potentially reduce the risk of death from any cause by an impressive 37%[3][4].
Now, sit back and let your jaw hit the floor. Experts, for the lack of a better term, are hopping mad about this study!
"This is bloody great news for future patients with bowel cancer, and it's likely to bring additional health benefits that the well-known side effects of our other treatments don't offer!" says David Sebag-Montefiore, Audrey and Stanley Burton Professor of Clinical Oncology and Health Research at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom[3].
Just like they say: prevention is better than cure - and sometimes, prevention can be better than a drug!
Structured Exercise Program vs. Health Advice: The Showdown!
Enter the ring folks - witness the battle of structured exercise against health advice for cancer prevention. Now, this ain't no ordinary boxing match; it's a 3-year-long duel involving 889 participants. This involved a rather fascinating recruitment process, gathering folks mostly from Canada and Australia but not without a few representatives from the United States, the U.K., and France[1].
The participants, all survivors of stage 3 or high-risk stage 2 colon cancer and fashionistas sporting overweight or obesity, had been through the ringer with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Their ages ranged from 19 to 84 years, with the average age being a steady 61[2].
Things got real when the research team randomly divided the participants into two groups: risk-takers and health-gurus.
The risk-takers, consisting of 445 participants, were provided with a certified physical activity consultant as their own personal cheerleader for three years. This trio bonded weekly for the first six months, then every two weeks for the next six months, and finally monthly for the next two years[1].
These bold participants had free rein to choose their exercises - be it swimming, cycling, or good ol' brisk walking - the idea was to make it a regular part of their lives, with the goal of achieving the equivalent of 3-4 brisk 45-60 minute walks a week[1].
The health-gurus, on the other hand, received updated health materials encouraging regular exercise and healthy eating in addition to standard surveillance[1].
The Battle Isn't Over Yet: Exercise vs Recurrence and Survival
After a reasonably long 7.9-year follow-up, the study revealed 93 individuals in the exercise group versus 131 in the health-guru group, experiencing cancer recurrence, a fresh primary cancer, or had tragically departed this world[1].
In total, 107 souls departed - 41 from the exercise group, 66 from the health-guru group, with the exercise group seeing a longer disease-free survival[1].
"The most important finding of our study was the overall improvement in survival," Kerry S. Courneya, the lead author of the study, told Medical News Today[1].
Cancer Prevention: Exercise - the New Miracle Drug?
Julie Gralow, the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Chief Medical Officer, stated that the findings of the study suggest exercise could be "better than a drug" for cancer patient outcomes, with minimal side effects[3]. "But," she cautioned, "it doesn't mean we should replace drugs with exercise. Rather, the benefits of exercise should be compared to those of standard therapies and the toxic side effects should be taken into account."[3]
Round of applause, folks! It seems both drugs and exercise have a strong suit.
The Long Run: Exercise - the Sustainable Option?
Remember, exercise ain't just a passing fancy - it's the gift that keeps on giving. "Exercise's benefit in colon cancer patients is not restricted to specific mutations," added Gralow[1].
And as for the cost, Courneya highlighted, "the [physical activity] intervention was maybe 3,000 to 5,000 [Canadian dollars] whereas it is not uncommon for some cancer drugs to be 10s of thousands and even reach 100,000!"[3]
Exercise as a Team Effort: Overcoming the Challenges
Vicky Coyle, U.K. lead researcher for the study, emphasized, "Our study gives clear, encouraging evidence that physical activity can reduce the risk of cancer returning for some people with colon cancer. We need to work with policymakers and healthcare providers to embed exercise into treatment plans where appropriate."[1]
But let's not forget about teamwork: "Despite its proven benefits, many people still face barriers to engaging in regular exercise. This study shows how important it is to make exercise advice a routine part of cancer care and to offer people tailored support," Joe Henson, Associate Professor in Lifestyle Medicine at the University of Leicester, chimed in[1].
Reframe from viewing exercise as a daunting chore, instead see it as your ticket to good health! There's no need to rush out and sign up for a grueling boot camp, simply take it one step at a time, buddy! Remember, the key to sticking with this is finding exercises that suit your taste, and incorporating them into your everyday life.
- In the realm of oncology, a structured exercise program could potentially be a game-changer for colorectal cancer prevention, as shown by a Canadian-led study that indicates a 28% reduction in cancer recurrence for patients who engage in exercise post-surgery and chemotherapy.
- The study, which involved 889 participants mostly from Canada and Australia, also suggests a possible 37% reduction in the risk of death from any cause for those who undertake a structured exercise program.
- The findings have garnered praise from experts in the field, such as David Sebag-Montefiore, who asserts, "This is bloody great news for future patients with bowel cancer."
- The study, a 3-year-long duel between structured exercise and health advice, diplomatically divided participants into two groups: those who received personal exercise consultants and those who received general health advice.
- Armed with the information from this study, we can see that exercise, like medication, plays a critical role in cancer prevention, management, and survival, and should be considered as a standard part of treatment for colorectal cancer patients.
- To fully reap the benefits of exercise, collaboration is key between policymakers, healthcare providers, and patients to ensure exercise is tailored to the individual, embedded into treatment plans, and made accessible for those who face barriers to engaging in regular exercise.
