Moderate Exercise and Colon Cancer: New Study Shows Encouraging Results

A fascinating study was published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine on the relationship between moderate exercise and colon cancer. It concluded what I’ve suspected for a long time – exercise can prevent cancer recurrence. 

This is huge! 

What’s even more incredible is that the study showed that exercise may be even more effective at preventing cancer recurrence than medication intervention. 

Keep reading to learn more about the study and my best tips for exercising with cancer.

The Clinical Study on Moderate Exercise and Colon Cancer

Researchers set out to determine if regular exercise can improve the survival of people who have been treated for colon cancer. Conducted from 2009 to 2024 across 55 cancer centers, the study followed 889 participants over a three-year period. 

The participants had all previously completed chemotherapy for colon cancer and were broken into two groups. One group followed a structured exercise program for the three years, while the other just received general health-education materials.    

And the results showed: those in the exercise group were less likely to have their cancer return. A 28% lower risk, to be exact. 

Some medical professionals are commenting that these recurrence rates are actually consistent with (and even better than in some cases) the rates found with drug intervention. This is astounding to say the least!  

Overall, the study showed that doing regular, guided exercise for three years after colon cancer treatment helped people stay cancer-free longer, and possibly live longer as well.  

Tips for Exercising with Cancer

With this study out, and additional growing research on the topic of exercise and cancer, many doctors are coming around to the idea that, rather than lying low during treatment, having their patients incorporate exercise into their treatment plan is actually most beneficial long-term. 

[Related article: Exercise and Cancer - Treating Exercise Like a Prescription]  

However, since your body has gone through a lot during treatment, it’s important to be mindful of what you are capable of. 

Here are my best tips for exercise either during or after your cancer treatment: 

• Do what you can - Start small if you have to. Moving your body at a pace that feels good is better than doing overly strenuous exercise. Don’t pressure yourself to jump into a full-fledged workout if you’re not there yet.

• Walking counts! The American Cancer Society recommends a mix of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, so feel free to opt for low-impact walks as much as you’d like. Bonus points if you opt to walk outdoors in nature because you’ll get in some earth grounding time as well. And even better – find a walking buddy to fill your social cup when you need it, too.

• Work it into your regular routine - Expecting yourself to suddenly be someone who wakes up early to go to the gym if you’ve always been a late sleeper is unrealistic and unsustainable. Look for ways you can add a little movement throughout the day, even if it’s in 5 or 10-minute increments. And if you need a little extra motivation, pair it with something you love to do, such as catching up on your favorite Netflix shows or podcasts! 

Consider Working With a Trainer

Sometimes it can feel difficult to work exercise into your routine simply because you don’t know where to start. Especially if you are going through, or have recently gone through, cancer treatment. That’s where working with a trainer can really help. 

If you’re unsure of what an exercise program should look like for your specific situation, I encourage you to reach out to me! 

In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am also a Certified Personal Trainer (and a cancer survivor myself!). I specialize in creating fitness and nutrition programs for patients at all stages of their journey with cancer, and would love to guide you. 

You can schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs, and I’ll help you tailor a solution to meet your goals. 

Contact Cathy Nobil-Dutton, LCSW, CPT