In a groundbreaking international study published on June 1, 2025, in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers have revealed that a structured exercise program following colon cancer treatment significantly improves survival rates and reduces recurrence. This revelation could transform how colon cancer recovery is approached globally, offering hope to thousands of patients battling this common yet deadly disease.
The study, conducted over a 15-year period from 2009 to 2024 and involving more than 800 patients across 55 medical centers, focused on individuals who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer. These patients were divided into two groups: one participated in a structured exercise regimen for three years, while the other received standard health education materials without supervised physical activity.
The exercise group was encouraged to engage in moderate-intensity activities, such as walking or pickleball, for approximately two and a half hours per week. This program was not a mere suggestion; it was a carefully monitored regimen that included behavioral support sessions and 12 in-person exercise sessions over the initial two weeks, followed by ongoing supervised sessions either in person or virtually throughout the three-year period.
At the eight-year follow-up, the results were striking. Participants in the exercise group were 28% less likely to experience a recurrence of colon cancer or develop new cancers compared to those who did not partake in the exercise program. Moreover, they enjoyed a 37% higher overall survival rate. Specifically, 80.3% of the exercise group achieved five-year disease-free survival, outpacing the 73.9% in the health education-only group.
Dr. Kerry Courneya, professor of kinesiology at the University of Alberta and co-chair of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. "Our findings show that exercise is no longer just a quality-of-life intervention for cancer patients that can be offered when and where possible," he stated. "It is a treatment for colon cancer that must be made available to all patients." Courneya's assertion challenges the traditional view of exercise as merely supplementary, positioning it as a vital component of cancer therapy.
Patients like Terri Swain-Collins, diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021, embody the study's hopeful message. After surgery and chemotherapy, Swain-Collins joined the exercise group and collaborated closely with a physiotherapist to tailor a fitness program suitable for her lifestyle. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "One of the biggest benefits was having a semi-structured routine that works for my lifestyle with someone to hold me accountable. Simply being told to exercise by a physician wouldn't have been enough to get me to where I am today; having someone walk alongside me, guide me and check in regularly was what truly made it possible." Three years later, she remains cancer-free and continues to walk regularly.
The study also sheds light on the practicalities and challenges of implementing exercise as a standard treatment. Dr. Christopher Booth, medical oncologist at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and co-chair of the study, highlighted the need for health systems to invest in behavior support programs. "This treatment is achievable and empowering for patients, and with a much lower cost than other cancer treatments it is sustainable for health systems," Booth told Newsweek. He added, "We cannot simply tell patients to exercise - we need to provide them with the behavior support program and personal trainer that will allow them to make this important change in lifestyle."
Indeed, the integration of exercise into cancer recovery could be a remarkably cost-effective strategy, especially when compared to the high price tags of many new cancer drugs. However, the study also noted a higher incidence of muscle strains or injuries among the exercise group (18.5%) compared to the non-exercisers (11.5%), underscoring the importance of professional supervision and personalized exercise plans.
Colorectal cancer remains a formidable health challenge worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States and ranks as the second deadliest globally. Alarmingly, rates among younger adults have been rising, with a 2024 study published in The Lancet revealing that individuals born in 1990 are two to three times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those born in 1955. Symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, cramps, weight loss, and blood in the stool—sometimes subtle—should prompt immediate medical evaluation, as early detection remains critical.
The international study’s findings arrive at a pivotal moment, offering a new weapon in the fight against a disease that affects millions. By confirming that a structured exercise program post-treatment not only improves quality of life but also significantly reduces cancer recurrence and boosts survival, this research calls for a paradigm shift in cancer care.
Dr. Courneya summed up the impact succinctly: "Oncologists can now recommend exercise as a treatment for colon cancer with the same confidence they recommend surgery and chemotherapy." Meanwhile, Dr. Booth stressed the urgency of making these programs accessible, stating, "This should now be considered a standard of care and health systems should ensure that patients have access to a funded exercise program after they complete chemotherapy."
As the medical community digests these findings, the next steps involve integrating exercise programs into standard cancer care protocols and ensuring patients receive the necessary support to maintain these regimens. For survivors like Swain-Collins and countless others, this research illuminates a path toward not just survival, but thriving after colon cancer.
