Colon cancer survivors now have a surprise recovery tool: Study shows exercise prevents recurrence. What are takeaways?

Exercise has always been a key pillar of post-surgery recovery.

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Now a breakthrough global study has shown it can reduce chances of cancer recurrence, lower the risk of cancer patients dying by a third and can even be more effective than drugs.The study, involving patients from the US, UK, Australia, France, Canada and Israel, found that a structured exercise programme following surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer reduced patients’ chances of cancer recurring by 28% compared with patients given only health advice. The study also found that structured exercise reduced the risk of death from any cause by 37%. Drugs get approved for lesser efficacy and can even be toxic, the study authors said. The results were presented in Chicago at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, the world’s largest cancer conference, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.According to Dr Amanjeet Singh, Senior Director, GI Surgery, GI Oncology and Bariatric Surgery, Gastro Sciences, Medanta, Gurugra