A landmark international clinical trial has confirmed that structured physical activity is not just beneficial for cancer recovery—it can significantly improve survival outcomes for people with colon cancer.

Presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual conference and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the results mark the first time exercise has been validated in a clinical setting as a direct cancer treatment rather than simply a supportive therapy. The findings, backed by the Canadian Cancer Society, are expected to reshape clinical guidelines for colorectal cancer care.

A Paradigm Shift in Cancer Treatment

“Our findings show that exercise is no longer just a quality-of-life intervention for cancer patients,” said Dr. Kerry Courneya, study co-chair and Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer at the University of Alberta. “It is a treatment for colon cancer that must be made available to all patients.”

Dr. Courneya led the study in partnership with Dr. Chris Booth, a medical oncologist at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and professor of oncology at Queen’s University. The pair collaborated with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) to design and oversee the study, which spanned 17 years and enrolled 889 participants across multiple countries.

Measurable Impact on Survival

Participants—all of whom had undergone surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer—were randomly assigned either a three-year, supervised exercise program or the standard post-treatment care consisting of health education materials. Those in the intervention group were encouraged to add 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week to their routines, with the freedom to choose activities ranging from walking to pickleball.

The results were striking: individuals in the exercise group had a 28% lower risk of cancer recurrence or developing a new primary cancer, and a 37% reduction in overall mortality.

“This is the first clinical trial in the world designed to answer whether exercise can improve cancer survival, and the results are clear,” said Dr. Booth. “The next step is to integrate exercise programs into standard cancer care—something that will require investment in behavioral support services.”

A Sustainable, Cost-Effective Model

Beyond its life-saving potential, the exercise intervention may also offer a cost-effective alternative to expensive cancer drugs. Dr. Booth and his team are now conducting a full health economic analysis, which is expected to show that exercise programs can be sustainably implemented across health systems.

A Survivor’s Story

Among the study’s participants is Terri Swain-Collins, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021. After completing chemotherapy and surgery, she joined the trial and worked closely with a physiotherapist to tailor an exercise routine to her needs.

“One of the biggest benefits was having a semi-structured routine with someone to hold me accountable,” Swain-Collins said. “Simply being told to exercise by a doctor wouldn’t have been enough—having support made the difference.”

Now cancer-free and maintaining a steady walking routine three times a week, she credits the program for her continued health and well-being.

Global Collaboration, Global Impact

The trial was a collaborative effort involving researchers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Dr. Janette Vardy of the University of Sydney served as international co-chair, with support from Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council. In the UK, the study was led by Dr. Victoria Coyle at Queen’s University of Belfast and backed by Cancer Research UK.

Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Cancer Society, said the trial reflects the transformative power of clinical research: “By bridging the gap between bold ideas and routine practice, this trial has the potential to save and improve lives for tens of thousands of people affected by colorectal cancer each year.”

By Staff Writer, Courtesy of Forbes | June 01, 2025 | Edited for WTFwire.com
Source: Canadian Cancer Society