Regular physical activity is associated with improved outcomes for advanced colorectal cancer

This study investigated the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) on the outcomes of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that regular PA is associated with better outcomes for these patients.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. A significant number of patients present advanced disease at diagnosis. A lifestyle with little or no physical activity is associated with increased recurrence and mortality risk. The effect of PA on advanced colorectal cancer remains poorly studied. Prior studies suggested that PA is associated with colorectal cancer survival. However, these studies were limited, with small populations.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PA in advanced colorectal cancer. This study included 1218 patients with metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer. One month after therapy, patients completed a questionnaire reporting PA over the previous 2 months. Overall survival (OS; time from treatment to death by any cause) was the main outcome to be measured. Followed by progression-free survival (PFS; time from treatment to disease progression) and toxicity of treatments.

Patients who reported 18 hours per week or more of PA had a 15% improvement in the odds of a better OS compared to those who had less than 3 hours per week of PA. The same patients had a 17% improvement in the odds of a better PFS. Patients who exercised for 9 or more hours a week had a 27% improvement in the odds of having fewer side effects to treatments.

The authors concluded that regular PA improves the PFS and side effects to treatments of patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

This study is based on self-reported patient questionnaires. Data collected in this way is not always reliable. More studies are needed for stronger evidence.