Each of them had Stage 3 or high-risk Stage 2 colon cancer.
Advertisement Those in the physical activity group had a 28% lower chance of their colon cancer returning when compared to those in the control group.
While genetics play a role in colon cancer risk, so does your lifestyle.
“You can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer by undergoing screening colonoscopy or other colon cancer screening tests as recommended by your doctor,” said Singh.
It’s also important for those with a previous colon cancer diagnosis to stay up-to-date on screenings and tests.
Many people are focused on finding a way to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer or preventing it from returning after a diagnosis, as the disease is becoming more common worldwide, especially in adults under 50.
According to a recent study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, exercise can help stop colon cancer from returning.
For approximately eight years, researchers monitored 889 individuals. Each of them had Stage 3 or high-risk Stage 2 colon cancer. The average age of participants was 61.
Half of the participants received a three-year exercise prescription from a physical activity consultant following chemotherapy for colon cancer. The other half did not have a consultant to enforce a fitness routine, but they did receive a health education booklet that included information on exercise and healthy eating.
Dr. Christopher Booth, the study’s leader, told NBC News that although participants in the physical activity group had a variety of workout options, the majority chose to go for a 45-minute brisk walk four times a week.
Compared to those in the control group, those in the physical activity group had a 28 percent lower chance of their colon cancer coming back. Additionally, the physical activity group had a higher five-year disease-free survival rate (80 percent) than the control group (73 percent). Additionally, exercise decreased the risk of getting cancer of any kind in general.
Dr. According to Monisha Singh, a medical oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital, the study “helps to formalize what oncologists have observed for a long time, that your lifestyle plays a significant role not only in your risk of developing cancer but also in your risk of recurrence.”. Singh has nothing to do with the study.
Singh stated, “This is a straightforward intervention that anyone can easily incorporate into their daily routines and serves a very important purpose of reducing cancer risk.”.
Exercise has many advantages besides reducing your risk of cancer.
Singh continued, “Walking is also excellent for lowering the risk of other chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and heart disease.”.
Your lifestyle has an impact on your risk of colon cancer, even though your genes do.
This study contributes to growing evidence that controllable risk factors, like physical activity, also contribute to the development of colon cancer, even though some risk factors are genetic (for example, if a first-degree relative had the disease).
“Colon cancer is not very common in Japan. Rather, they are more susceptible to stomach cancer. Nevertheless, after a few years, that risk reverses if you relocate someone from Japan to the United States. As a result, they will be more susceptible to colon cancer,” Singh stated.
This is probably connected to the more sedentary way of life in the West and the amount of food consumed. American cuisine. S. . is more processed, exposes people to more red meat, has less fiber, and consumes fewer fresh fruits and vegetables, all of which are likely contributing factors to colorectal cancer development, she said. Consuming the daily recommended amount of fiber has been shown to help maintain the health of your colon and aid in the removal of toxins that can cause cancer.
You should follow recommended screening guidelines to lower your risk of colon cancer in addition to exercising.
“By having a screening colonoscopy or other colon cancer screening tests as advised by your physician, you can lower your risk of developing colon cancer,” Singh said.
The majority of people should start having screening colonoscopies at age 45, according to official guidelines. Nonetheless, some people may be advised to begin earlier, such as those with a family history, those with specific inflammatory bowel disorders, or those who exhibit symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, weight loss, or a change in bowel habits.
Those who have previously been diagnosed with colon cancer should also keep up with screenings and tests.
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