Physical activity is associated with better outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors

This study investigated the association of different lifestyles with long-term colorectal cancer outcomes. Researchers reported that physical activity was associated with decreased mortality. 

It is predicted that by 2035 the number of colorectal cancer cases will increase to 1.36 million for men and 1.08 million for women. However, death rates have fallen by 2.5% each year, which results in an increase of colorectal cancer survivors. Therefore, it is necessary to study how different lifestyles may be related to long-term outcomes. Prior studies have suggested that physical activity in these patients is associated with a decreased mortality. 

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of physical activity, hours of sleeping at day and night and hours spent watching TV with mortality rates. This study included 1376 colorectal cancer survivors. These patients provided information by questionnaires 6 years after the cancer diagnosis.

Survivors with better physical activity habits had a 47% improvement in the odds of a lower mortality. Of all the types of physical activity, sports, walking and gardening had the better outcomes.

Patients with 2 or more hours of sleep during the day were 2.2 times more at risk of a worse outcomes when compared with patients with no sleep. Patients who watched TV for 4 or more hours a day were 45% more at risk of a higher mortality when compared with patients with only 2 or less hours. 

This study determined that low rates of physical activity and higher rates of sleeping during the day and TV watching were associated with worse outcomes. The authors suggested that regular physical activity should be recommended for colorectal cancer survivors.