Exercise as Medicine for Preventing Colon Cancer Recurrence

Structured exercise significantly reduces recurrence risk and improves survival for stage II and III colon cancer.

While outcomes after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II/III colon cancer are generally good, cancer still recurs in about 30% of patients, and quality of life and cardiorespiratory fitness are decreased. Structured exercise improves quality of life and cardiorespiratory outcomes, but conclusive data for cancer outcomes are lacking.

The randomized, phase 3 CHALLENGE trial included nearly 900 patients with high-risk stage II or III colon cancer after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Half the patients received a structured, behaviorally supported exercise program over 3 years; the other half received only health-education materials. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival.

Structured exercise notably improved several outco…

Reviewing Authors

Suneel D. Kamath, MD

Vlad G. Zaha, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportCancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas; National Institute of Health

Editorial BoardsCirculation

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesTexas Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (Section Chair, Cardio-Oncology)