The participants received chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer (either high-risk stage II or stage III) 2 to 6 months before the start of the trial.

The participants were assigned to either a 3-year exercise program or a control. The exercise program utilized supervised exercise sessions, behavioral support sessions, and regular check-ins. The goal of the exercise program was to increase the participants’ aerobic exercise by 10 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) hours per week. The control group received general health information materials on the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, and general cancer surveillance.

Over a median follow-up of 7.9 years, exercise reduced the risk of cancer recurrence, new primary cancer, or death by 28% (HR: 0.72). The specific rates were the following:

Risk of cancer recurrence yearly rates: 2.5% vs. 3.1%
New primary cancer yearly rates: 0.8% vs. 1.6%
Death yearly rates: 1.4% vs. 2.3%

Exercise improves disease-free survival in colon cancer

Disease-free survival was defined as the absence of cancer recurrence, new primary cancer, or death. Note that the HR (hazard ratio) of 0.72 reflects a 28% lower relative incidence of disease events (cancer or death) over time in the exercise group.

Rates of musculoskeletal adverse events (e.g., joint pain) were higher in the exercise group than the control group (18.5% vs. 11%).

Exercise can help colon cancer survivors stay alive and cancer free Original paper