According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.

Colorectal cancer starts in either the colon or the rectum, and can be treated effectively if discovered in its early stages. However, if the cancer has metastasized, it can be much tougher to treat.

Recent studies have shown that exercise can help to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and also improve the odds of survival for those who have already been diagnosed with colon cancer.

Exercise and Colon Cancer Prevention

One of the key benefits of exercise in preventing colon cancer is that physical activity can speed up the digestive process, which can reduce the amount of time that cancer-causing toxins are in contact with colon cells.

Exercise can also help reduce inflammation in the body which is a key factor in the development of many types of cancer including colon cancer.

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that people who engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week had a 20% lower risk of colon cancer compared to those who were more sedentary. Additionally, the American Cancer Society recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week to reduce their risk of colon cancer.

Exercise and Colon Cancer Mortality

In addition to preventing colon cancer, exercise has also been shown to improve colon cancer survival rates.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that people who engaged in the highest level of physical activity after being diagnosed with colon cancer had a 31% lower risk of dying from the disease compared to those who were sedentary. This study also found that exercise was associated with improved overall survival and reduced risk of colon cancer recurrence. These findings were consistent across different stages of colon cancer.

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Another study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that brisk walking for at least six hours per week was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of death from colon cancer compared to those who walked for less than 30 minutes per week. This study also found that the benefits of exercise were greater for people who had Stage III colon cancer, which is cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes but not to distant parts of the body.

The Role of Exercise in Colon Cancer Treatment

In addition to improving survival rates, exercise can also help improve quality of life for colon cancer patients. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, exercise can help reduce fatigue and other symptoms associated with treatment.

Exercise can also help patients maintain their physical function and independence during and after treatment.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that colon cancer patients who participated in a supervised exercise program during chemotherapy had a higher quality of life score compared to those who did not participate in the program.

Additionally, patients in the exercise group reported fewer symptoms of fatigue and better physical functioning compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The benefits of exercise in preventing and treating colon cancer cannot be overstated. Exercise plays a critical role in reducing the risk of colon cancer and improving survival rates, especially for those with advanced stages of the disease.

Furthermore, exercise can also help improve the quality of life for colon cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

It is important for adults to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week to reduce their risk of developing colon cancer and to improve their chances of survival if diagnosed with the disease.