Regular Physical Activity Shows Superiority in Preventing Cancer Recurrence Compared to Drug Therapy
Hear that? It's the sound of your workout playlist coming to life, because exercise - the good old-fashioned sweat session - has just been crowned the champion of cancer treatments! A groundbreaking study shows that regular exercise can not only lower the risk of death in cancer patients but also help prevent cancer from coming back, even better than medication.
Just the Facts: 🔍- International Long-term Study: Researchers from all over the world dug deep into the impact of regular exercise on cancer recurrence. The results, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, left no doubt - exercise outperformed medication when it comes to keeping cancer at bay.- Colon Cancer Patients: The study, known as the CO21-Challenge, focused on 889 colon cancer patients who had already undergone chemotherapy and surgery. Half of the group was put through a structured exercise program; the other half just received general advice about healthy habits.- Personal Coaching: To reach their exercise goals, the first group had a personal trainer helping them out twice a month for the first three years, and then once a month. The goal was to walk for 45 to 60 minutes, three to four times a week, although other types of exercise were also encouraged.
The Numbers Don't Lie 📈
The results were striking! After eight long years, mortality in the active group plummeted by 37%, and the risk of recurring cancer dropped by 28% compared to the group that only received health counseling.
Oncologists' New BFF: When asked about the impressive results, Christopher Booth, the study's lead author from Queen's University in Kingston (Canada), summed it up: "Regular exercise reduces the risk of recurrence or a new cancer, improves well-being, and helps patients live longer." In fact, the benefits are so remarkable that experts now consider exercise a better alternative to medication.
Julie Gralow, the Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) who was not involved in the study, told the Guardian: "The benefit from exercise is as great as that of many medications, with 28% lower risk of disease and 37% lower risk of death." A powerful punch against cancer - and it comes without the pesky side effects often associated with medications!
A New Era for Cancer Aftercare 💪
Even though the study focused on colon cancer patients, the team working on the CO21-Challenge believes that the results apply to other types of cancer as well. Time for a change in cancer aftercare! Doctors everywhere should start discussing exercise programs with their patients, not just recommending them. And remember - this is more than a tube of pills or an expensive drug, it's active support! The cost per patient ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, which is significantly lower than many cancer medications - a win-win for patients and healthcare budgets.
Sources:- ntv.de- hny
HealthCancerStudies
Community policy should prioritize promoting exercise as a crucial aspect of cancer treatment and recovery, given the evidence that regular exercise can outperform medication in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. Employment policy, especially in the health and wellness sector, could incorporate fitness-and-exercise programs and therapies-and-treatments for cancer patients as part of their benefits, providing a supportive environment during their recovery. Science, including medical-conditions research, could focus on developing personalized exercise programs that cater to individual needs, improving the effectiveness of exercise as a cancer treatment strategy.
