The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **Groundbreaking Study: Exercise Reduces Colon Cancer Recurrence Risk by 28%** A major international study has found that following a *structured, supervised exercise program* after surgery and chemotherapy can lower the risk of colon cancer coming back by **28%** in people with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer[1][2][3][4]. **Exercise as Powerful as Medicine** Experts describe the impact of exercise as being “about as large as what researchers might expect from a new drug.” This finding is based on a phase 3 randomized controlled trial—considered the gold standard in clinical research—which puts exercise intervention on par with pharmaceutical advances for preventing cancer recurrence[2][4]. **Details of the Study** Researchers enrolled **889 participants** from six countries—most from Canada and Australia. These patients, with a median age of 61 and evenly split between men and women, were previously treated with surgery and chemotherapy after their colon cancer diagnosis[1][2][3][4]. Participants were divided into two groups: - One group followed a structured exercise program, working with a personal trainer to develop and maintain an individualized plan for three years. - The other group received health education materials promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition[2][3][4]. **Significant Survival Benefits** Those in the exercise group experienced not only fewer recurrences of colon cancer but also **significantly higher long-term survival rates**, with one analysis finding a dramatic 37% reduction in colon cancer deaths[3]. The study’s results were presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and published in the *New England Journal of Medicine*[2][3][4]. **Expert Perspective: A “No Brainer” Intervention** Gastrointestinal cancer experts say this is the first high-quality study to prove exercise is both *achievable* and *effective* after colon cancer treatment. Dr. Pamela Kunz of Yale stated, “Exercise as an intervention is a no-brainer and should be implemented broadly” for people in this patient group[2][4]. **What This Means for Colon Cancer Survivors** After surgery and chemotherapy, as many as one in three patients still face colon cancer coming back. This research gives survivors a clear, evidence-based strategy to improve their outlook—an exercise plan *with professional guidance* can not only help prevent cancer returning, but also support overall health and well-being[1][4]. Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9