Study Shows Exercise May Increase Survival Following Colon Cancer Diagnosis

Exercising may help patients with colon cancer live just as long as those who never had the disease, according to a new study.

The study, which examined how physical activity may impact colon cancer patients' lifespan after surgery and chemotherapy, found colon cancer patients who reported higher levels of physical activity and were alive and without disease recurrence after three years are living about as long as their peers in the general population.

Nathan Parker, PhD

“Being physically active improves various aspects of quality of life in cancer survivorship. Though this study’s findings are specific to colon cancer survivors, it’s promising to show that physical activity may help many live as long as their peers who haven’t been diagnosed with cancer,” said Nathan Parker, PhD, a researcher in the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior at Moffitt Cancer Center.

Researchers used self-reported physical activity data from nearly 3,000 colon cancer patients completing postoperative treatment. They estimated weekly energy expenditure from physical activity and categorized patients into three groups:

• Those reporting less than one hour of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, or 30 minutes of more vigorous activity like running per week
• Those reporting between one and six hours of moderate-intensity activity or between 30 minutes and three hours of more vigorous activity per week
• Those reporting more than 6 hours of moderate-intensity activity or more than three hours of more vigorous activity per week

Survival rates among patient groups reporting different volumes of physical activity were compared to those of individuals from the general population with no history of cancer, matched by age, sex and calendar year at the start of their follow-up.

While survival rates after a cancer diagnosis have been historically shorter than the general population, the study results showed that difference in survival rates decreased with higher levels of physical activity.

Parker describes physical activity as a preventative measure that, unlike much of the process of navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment, can provide survivors with a sense of control.

“There are increased risks for tumor recurrence and disease progression with factors like chronic inflammation and excess abdominal fat that being physically active can help mitigate,” he said.

In addition to helping prevent disease recurrence, physical activity serves as a crucial tool for patients to maintain muscle mass, which translates into benefits such as physical functioning and independence.

“We have a growing pool of evidence in the field that shows that being physically active during cancer treatment is important,” Parker said. “It may be more difficult sometimes, given the side effects of treatments like fatigue and nausea, but doing something is better than nothing. We try to capitalize on the moments when a patient feels well enough to get up and be active.”

Through Moffitt exercise studies, including a recent pickleball project for cancer survivors, Parker and his team have witnessed firsthand how physical activity can also enhance mental health during and after treatment.

“There are a number of ways we can get creative and try to make programs more fun. That way, survivors may be more likely to sustain higher physical activity levels long term.”