A new study published June 1 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that incorporating exercise into recovery plans after colon cancer treatment improved survival rates.
Between 2009 and 2024, researchers tracked nearly 900 colon cancer patients post-chemotherapy. Half received a healthy lifestyle booklet, while the other half also worked with a physical activity consultant for three years.
Those in the exercise program saw a 28% lower risk of recurrence or new cancer, with a five-year disease-free survival rate of 80% compared to 74% in the booklet-only group.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. Furthermore, it's estimated that over 150,000 people are diagnosed annually. Of these, over 52,000 will succumb to the disease.
But what exactly is colorectal cancer, how does it develop, and are there precautions you can take to lower the risk factors? Click through and find out more about this disease and the parts of the body it affects.