We all know that regular exercise has many benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Exercise also improves the results in cancer patients, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Cancer patients who participated in a structured exercise program in a study-controlled study, lived longer without cancer recurrence and have less risk of die within the trial period than people in the control group.
I was curious why and how exercises reduced the risk of cancer and what everyone should know about the inclusion of exercise programs into their lives. To find out, I talked to the CNN Welnes expert of CNN D -Lina Wen. Ven is an emergency doctor and associate professor at George Washington University. Previously, she was an employee of Baltimore Health.
CNN: Why are the results of this study so important?
Childhood of D -R Ven: Previous studies suggest that exercise may be useful for cancer survivors, but this is the first randomized study that demonstrates exercise after cancer treatment can reduce relapses and improve survival.
Researchers have recruited nearly 900 patients from 55 cancer centers in six countries who have been treated either for colon cancer in Stage III or at high risk. Even after cancer treatment as surgery followed by chemotherapy, colon cancer returns in approximately 30% of patients, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Many patients with colon cancer recurrence eventually die from their illness.
The patients in the new study were randomized in two groups. The control group received standard health education materials promoting healthy eating and physical activity. This is the current standard of care provided to patients in remission from their cancer.
The other group participates in a structured exercise program that included working with a health trainer for physical activity guidance and controlled exercises. In the original six months, patients had twice a monthly coaching sessions. After this period, they met with coaches once a month, with additional sessions, if necessary.
The participants randomized in the structured exercise group had significantly more improvements to the physical function measured at a distance, they could take six minutes and predicted VO2 max (your oxygen absorption), and both cardiovascular fitness indicators.
The two groups were followed by an average of about eight years. During this period, 131 patients in the control group had a recurrence of their cancer, compared to 93 in the structured exercise group. In the control group, 66 people were killed, compared to 41 in the structured exercise group.
People in the structured exercise group had a 28% lower risk of developing recurrent or new cancers than those following standard care protocols. Members of the exercise group also had a 37% lower risk of death in the trial period.
This study is important because its strict methodology confirms what previous studies have suggested: the exercise expands survival without diseases for cancer patients and should be included as part of the holistic treatment of patients to reduce the risk of recurrent and new cancers.
CNN: How can the results of the study change the treatment of cancer patients?
Ven: Imagine if there was a clinical trial for a new drug, which found that it reduced the risk of developing recurrent or new cancers by 28% and reduced the risk of death during the 37% test period. Patients and doctors would welcome this as a huge development and would like to try this new therapist.
This is the magnitude of the discoveries in this study. I believe they have the potential to significantly change cancer treatment protocols. Currently, after patients receive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, they are given advice on exercise, but they are not very likely to engage the services of a health trainer or coach. Their oncologists and primary doctors may not ask about their physical activity regimen during subsequent care.
I hope this will change in view of these results. Patients may be advised to have a “exercise recipe” and healthcare providers can track to track their exercise activities. Perhaps insurance companies could even consider restoring a health trainer 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 do exercises reduce the risk of cancer?
Ven: Population studies have long showed that regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of developing certain cancers. There are several theories why it is. One is that physical activity helps people stay healthy, which is remarkable because obesity is a risk factor for the development of some cancers. In addition, exercises are thought to help regulate some hormones that are involved in the development of cancer and reduce the inflammatory response, which can also be included in cancer.
CNN: How many exercises do people need?
Ven: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommend Adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate to high -intensity exercises a week. For someone who sports five times a week, it’s about 30 minutes per time of exercise such as fast walking or jogging, driving a motorcycle or swimming.
The benefits of these minutes of exercise are cumulative, which means that people do not need to make them at once to have an effect. People who are unable to spend a period of time for exercise could consider how they can involve physical activity in their daily procedures. Can they take the stairs instead of the elevator at work? If they do this five times a day, this can be 10 minutes of exercise. Can they make a 10-minute phone meeting while walking in their neighborhood instead of sitting at a desk? Can they park a little further to reach a few more minutes of physical activity? Small changes are added.
CNN: What other tips do you have for people who want to start exercise programs?
Ven: Many studies show that while it is ideal to get the recommended 150 minutes a week, there is a significant benefit of even a small amount of physical activity. The best advice I can suggest is not to allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good – start with what you can.
For example, consider the idea of ”snack exercises” or outbursts of activity that could be as short as 15 or 30 seconds. They are as simple as you do a few squats or perform household tasks. Getting out of your chair and just moving around helps, which is especially important for desk -related workers who need additional exercises to counteract the negative effects on health.
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