Dr. Kerry Courneya is a Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer. He says exercise plays a pivotal role in the prevention, recurrence and survivorship of cancer.
Exercise is just one way of reducing the risk of developing colon cancer, and it may also be an important way to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
"Researchers have seen that there is a link between exercise and a lower risk of cancer recurrence and longer survival, but they have not yet determined whether this is a direct cause-and-effect relationship," says Dr, Kerry Courneya, Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity Cancer, whose work has been funded by the Canadian Cancer Society.
To answer this question, Courneya is leading a clinical trial to examine whether colon cancer survivors who increase their physical activity levels have lower rates of cancer recurrence compared to those who do not increase their activity. In addition to the rate of recurrence, the study will also look at other outcomes such as quality of life, anxiety and physical function.
"Even in healthy populations, exercise adherence is a challenge," says Courneya. So, to help in achieving their goals, survivors assigned to increase their activity will participate in supervised exercise programs and behavioural support sessions. "The goal is to get people to increase their overall activity - any type of physical activity - by about two and half hours of moderate exercise or one and a quarter hours of vigorous activity per week," he says.
The trial has sites across Canada and Australia. It is coordinated by the NCIC Clinical Trials Group, a world leader in conducting clinical trials, which receives its core funding from the Canadian Cancer Society.
The results of the trial could provide evidence for structured exercise programs for cancer survivors, and help in implementing exercise programs as a routine part of follow-up care.
"Many cancer survivors feel that their body has let them down, and they have a fear about getting back into exercise," says Courneya. "We hope our research shows that exercise not only helps people feel better, but also helps prevent cancer recurrence."
If you have questions about cancer visit the Canadian Cancer Society's website at www.cancer.ca or call 1-888-939-3333.