In a new study, colon cancer survivors who were very physically active lived as long, if not longer, than people in the general population.
Frequent exercise can help colon cancer survivors live as long as people in the general population, a new study suggests.
In fact, colon cancer patients who were very physically active had three-year survival rates that were slightly higher than average, according to the results.
The lead author says, “This new information can help patients with colon cancer understand how factors that they can control — their physical activity levels — can have a meaningful impact on their long-term prognosis.”
Researchers reviewed data from two trials that included nearly 2,900 patients with stage 3 colon cancer who reported on their physical activity after surgery and chemotherapy.
Their activity levels were translated into metabolic equivalents or MET-hours, which measure energy burn.
The results showed participants who got 18 or more MET-hours of exercise per week had an overall three-year survival rate 3% higher than the general population.
On the other hand, colon cancer survivors who logged fewer than 3 MET-hours per week had an overall survival rate 3% lower than the general population, based on the pooled data.
The authors call these findings powerful and say they can be used to help motivate not only cancer patients, but everyone, to exercise.
Source: Cancer
Author Affiliations: Louisiana State University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Karmanos Cancer Institute
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