According to NPR, research published recently in the American Cancer Society Journals indicates that regular exercise can be the key to living a longer life for colon cancer survivors.
Colon cancer rates in young adults has been rising in the U.S. and cancer related deaths from colon cancer continue to be some of the highest worldwide. However, overall colon cancer death rates are declining thanks in part to advances in treatments and screenings procedures.
It has been well known for a long time by physicians and researchers that exercise can lengthen survival rates in patients, however the team from the Colon and Rectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute wanted to evaluate the particular impact of regular exercise on colon cancer survival rates versus to those who have never had cancer.
The study conducted surveyed almost 3,000 patients with colon cancer asking questions about their exercise routines before diagnosis and treatment and after. The results showed that not only was there an increase in survival rates for the patients who exercised regularly over patients who didn’t, they also had slightly better rates than the general population of people without a cancer diagnosis. The same result was also true for patients with reoccurring diagnoses.
It is still unclear to researchers what exactly exercise does to the body to increase life span in cancer patients, but it is understood that exercise does create chemical reactions that support and promote the immune system, which is critical in fighting off cancer cells. Overall, physical activity can strengthen the immune system to fight off inflammation which allows it function better to also fight off disease.
Insulin production and sensitivity is also highly affected by exercise, and insulin is a major factor in the growth of colorectal cells, according to Dr. Kimmie Ng, the founding director of the Young Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber. Ng suggests that colorectal cancers are associated with influences like diet and exercise and therefore provide a considerable amount of control for the patient.
The American Cancer Society recommends a baseline of 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week is minimal to reduce cancer risks but encourages people to do as much as they can handle.
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American Cancer Society cancer colon cancer colorectal cancer Dana-Farber Cancer Institute NPR
Last modified: April 7, 2025
