We all know that regular exercise has many benefits, including the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Based on the new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, exercises also improve the results of patients with cancer. Cancer patients who participated in a structured exercise program in a randomized controlled study survived longer without recurrence of cancer and had a lower risk to die during the test period compared to the control group.
I was wondering why and how exercise reduces the risk of cancer and what everyone should know about the involvement of exercise programs in their lives. To find out, I talked to CNN wellness expert dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an ambulance doctor and associate professor at George Washington University. Previously, she worked as a member of the Baltimore Health Commission.
CNN: Why are the results of this study so important?
Dr. Wen’s childhood: Previous studies show that exercise may be useful for surviving cancer, but this is the first randomized study of exercise after cancer treatment can reduce repetition and improve survival.
Researchers employed nearly 900 patients from 55 cancer centers from six countries, which were treated with stage III or high -risk stage II colon. According to the American Clinical Oncology Society, approximately 30% of patients, even after cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, colon cancer returns to about 30% of patients. Many patients who recur the colon cancer die from the disease.
Patients in the new study were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received a standard health training material that promotes healthy eating and physical activity. This is the current care standard that is provided to patients during remission from cancer.
Another group participated in a structured exercise program, involving cooperation with a health coach for physical activity tips and supervision sessions. In the first six months, patients had twice a month training sessions. They then met with coaches once a month, if necessary, with additional sessions.
Participants, randomly selected in the structured exercise group, had a significantly greater improvement in physical function, measured at a distance, could walk within six minutes and predicted VO2 max (your oxygen absorption), both cardiovascular fitness.
Both groups were considered an average of about eight years. During this period, 131 control group patients recurred their cancer compared to 93 structured exercise. 66 people died in the control group compared to 41 in a structured exercise group.
Structured exercise group people had 28% less risk of developing recurrent or new cancer compared to those who followed standard care protocols. Members of the exercise group also had 37% lower death risk during the test period.
This study is important because its strict methodology confirms what previous studies suggested: Exercise expands the survival of cancer patients without disease and should be involved in the holistic treatment of patients to reduce the risk of recurrent and new cancer.
CNN: How can patients with cancer research the results of the test?
Wen: Imagine a clinical trial of the new drug, which found that it reduced the risk of recurrent or new cancer by 28% and reduced the risk of death during the test period by 37%. Patients and doctors would say this as a huge development and would like to try this new therapy.
This is the size of the findings of this study. I think they can fundamentally change the cancer treatment protocols. Currently, patients who have received treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are advised to exercise, but many are probably not involved in a health coach or coach. Their oncologists and primary care doctors may not ask about their physical activity regime during monitoring.
I hope this will change in view of these results. Patients may be advised that the “recipe” is “exercise” and health care providers can track their exercise. Perhaps insurance companies could even consider compensating for cancer patients; This can be seen as an investment to reduce the need for more expensive chemotherapy and other treatments.
CNN: Why and how exercise reduces the risk of cancer?
Wen: Research on population has long been shown that regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of certain cancer. There are several theories why this is the case. The one thing is that physical activity helps people to remain healthy, which is observed because obesity is a risk factor for developing some cancer. In addition, exercise is believed to help regulate some hormones associated with cancer development and reduce inflammatory response, which may also be associated with cancer.
CNN: How many exercises do I need?
Wen: U.S. Disease Control and Prevention Centers recommend adults to participate at least 150 minutes of moderate to high intensity per week. For someone who exercise five times a week, it is about 30 minutes of exercise such as lightning walk or jogging, cycling or swimming.
The advantages of these exercise protocols are cumulative, which means that individuals do not need to do them all at once to make the effect. People who are unable to spend a certain period of exercise could consider how they could involve physical activity in their daily routine. Could they take the stairs instead of the elevator at work? If they do it five times a day, it can be as long as 10 minutes of exercise. Could they meet a 10 -minute phone meeting while going in their neighborhood instead of sitting at the table? Could they build a little further to get into a few more minutes of physical activity? Small changes increase.
CNN: What other tips do you have for people who want to start exercising?
Wen: Many studies show that although it is ideal to get the recommended 150 minutes a week for exercise, this is a significant benefit from low physical activity. The best tip I can offer is to prevent the enemy of goodness to be perfect – start with what you can.
For example, consider “snacks” or the idea of an activity that can be short, as 15 or 30 seconds. It is as easy as doing a few squats or doing housework. The rise from your chair and just movement helps, which is especially important for employees who have a table that requires additional exercises to combat the negative health effects of sitting.
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