Exercise Could Extend Life Expectancy For Colon Cancer Patients: Study

Regular exercise may not only help colon cancer survivors stay healthy but could also give them a better chance of living longer than the average person, a new study suggests. Research published in the journal Cancer found that colon cancer patients who engaged in consistent physical activity had higher survival rates than even the general population. These findings explain the importance of an active lifestyle in improving long-term health outcomes after cancer treatment.

How Exercise Impacts Survival Rates

The study, led by Justin Brown, director of the Cancer Metabolism Program at Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, analyzed data from two large clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. These trials followed nearly 2,900 participants who had been treated for stage 3 colon cancer, tracking their physical activity levels over time.

Researchers measured activity in metabolic equivalents (MET-hours per week)—a way of quantifying energy expenditure. The results were striking:

- Colon cancer survivors who engaged in 18 or more MET-hours of exercise per week had a three-year survival rate that was 3 per cent higher than the general population.

- Health guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, which equals about 8 MET hours. The most active participants in the study far exceeded this.

- Those who got less than 3 MET hours per week had a 3 per cent lower survival rate than the general population.

Even more concerning, when researchers analyzed individual clinical trials, they found that colon cancer survivors who did little or no exercise had survival rates up to 17 per cent lower in the first three years and 11 per cent lower in the following three years compared to the general population.

Why Exercise Matters for Cancer Survivors

According to Brown, this study provides crucial insight into how modifiable lifestyle factors—like physical activity—can significantly impact long-term health after a colon cancer diagnosis. “This new information can help patients understand that their physical activity levels can play a meaningful role in their prognosis,” Brown said.

The study also supports the growing belief that exercise is medicine—not just for preventing disease but for improving survival outcomes.

What Type of Exercise Works Best?

For colon cancer survivors looking to stay active, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends moderate-intensity exercises, such as:

- Brisk walking

- Recreational swimming

- Cycling (below 10 mph)

- Yoga

- Ballroom dancing

- Yard work or home repairs

These activities not only help with cardiovascular health and muscle strength but also support mental well-being—another crucial factor for cancer recovery. Doctors, public health experts, and policymakers continue to stress the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Brown explains that understanding how exercise can improve survival rates may help motivate patients to stay active.

“For a colon cancer survivor to hear that exercise could give them a survival advantage comparable to their cancer-free peers is a powerful piece of information,” he said.

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