Exercise could help you live longer after colon cancer

If you’re recovering from colon cancer, start exercising—it could mean you’re more likely to be alive years later.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of the cancer returning by 30 percent within five years and lowers the chances of dying by nearly 40 percent after eight years.

You don’t have to overdo it.  A brisk walk of up to 60 minutes three to four times a week should be enough, say researchers from Queen’s University Belfast—or swimming or salsa dance lessons could work just as well.

They tested the benefits of exercise after chemotherapy on a group of 889 colon cancer survivors, half of whom were put on the exercise programme and the rest were advised about healthier living and diet, but who may not have adopted any of the recommendations.

After five years, 80 percent of the exercisers were still cancer free, compared to 74 percent in the other group, so the risk of cancer recurring reduced by 28 percent in the exercise group.  After eight years, 10 percent of the exercise group had died compared with 17 percent in the health advisory group, which represents a 37 percent reduction in mortality risk.

The exercisers also reported less fatigue, greater physical strength and improved mood.

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