Why You Should Exercise and Eat Right, Now

We’ve all been told that we should exercise and eat right. That’s true even after a person has been diagnosed with colon cancer. A new study shows that staying active can increase a cancer patient’s chance of survival.

How Physical Activity Affects Patients’ Survival:

Colon cancer is an important cause of death, so it comes as no surprise that people diagnosed with colon cancer have shorter survival times than those in the general population. Cancer patients can reduce the discrepancy, though. A study of almost 3,000 people with stage III colon cancer found that physical activity lowered their chance of tumor recurrence in the first year (Cancer, Feb. 24, 2025).

The researchers analyzed data from two chemotherapy trials in which patients had answered questions about their physical activity at two different times during the trial. Median time for follow-up was about 6 years.

Individuals who engaged in more physical activity were more likely to survive. This was especially noticeable for those who reported 18 or more MET-hours a week and who had no recurrence by the third year. The MET is a measure of energy expended compared to your base rate, the energy you need just to stay alive without doing anything. 18 MET-hours is quite a bit of exercise.

The authors note,

“Maximizing how patients feel, function, and survive is critical to cancer survivorship and control.”

They suggest that physical activity is

“a cornerstone to optimizing colon cancer survivorship.”

Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle:

Research reported years ago at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting shows that a healthy lifestyle matters, especially for people with colon cancer. The findings should motivate the rest of us to clean up our act.

Colon Cancer Patients Who Exercise and Eat Right:

In one study, almost 1,000 people undergoing chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer answered questions about dietary and exercise habits (ASCO, Chicago, IL, June 2, 2017). The investigators scored their responses based on how well they met the American Cancer Society nutrition and physical activity guidelines. These urge us to eat lots of plant-based foods and limit our processed meat servings. We should choose whole rather than refined grains and consume alcohol in small quantities if at all. The guidelines also recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity.

Not quite 10 percent of these volunteers had healthful exercise and eating patterns that conformed to the guidelines. They also maintained a healthy body weight.

How Did People Who Exercise and Eat Right Fare?

Over the seven years of follow-up, that conscientious group was 42 percent less likely to die. They were also 31 percent less likely to have their colon cancer recur than people who didn’t follow a healthy lifestyle.

When the scientists factored in moderate alcohol consumption, the diligent patients were 51 percent less likely to have a recurrence or to die of their cancer. They had longer disease-free and overall survival than the other cancer patients in the study.

Nuts for Better Health:

At the same conference, other investigators presented data showing that people who include nuts in their diets do better after a colon cancer diagnosis (ASCO, Chicago, IL, June 3, 2017). People who ate at least two servings of tree nuts a week were much less likely to die or have their cancer recur. Peanuts and peanut butter didn’t make any difference, though. So if you are a cancer patient trying to exercise and eat right, focus on almonds, walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts rather than peanut butter.