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Moderate Exercise Helps Colorectal Cancer Patients Live Longer

Read Time: 5 minutes

Caroline Himbert, PhD | Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS | Jennifer Ose, PhD, MS, MPH
Caroline Himbert, PhD | Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS | Jennifer Ose, PhD, MS, MPH

Regular physical activity can extend colorectal cancer patients鈥 lives. In a first-ever study, scientists looked at the impact of exercise on the gut of cancer patients and reported a positive association. The gut microbiome is the largest portion of the body鈥檚 collection of bacteria and other microbes that live in and on the body, according to the . Researchers found physical activity was also beneficial to obese cancer patients, who typically have a less healthy gut microbiome.

The findings are an important step in understanding how a healthy gut improves colorectal cancer outcomes for patients. While other scientists have studied the effect of exercise on the microbiome among healthy individuals, this is the first study looking at the outcome in people with cancer.

The discovery by a team of scientists led by , executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the (the U) and a Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research, was recently published in the . The lead author is , research fellow with the . It builds on another study by Himbert published in , a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, and on research by Jennifer Ose, PhD, MS, MPH, an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the U, also published in .

The team found that regular physical activity can aid in creating a healthy gut microbiome, while also reducing inflammation. These findings were reported in patients independent of their body mass index (BMI)鈥攅ven those classified as severely overweight or obese.

鈥淎 patient who is active has a more diverse microbiome and lower abundances of colorectal cancer-promoting bacteria, and higher amounts of bacteria that protect against colorectal cancer,鈥 Himbert says. 鈥淥ur study suggests that nobody needs to be an athlete to get the benefits. It can be easy activities. Just staying active is very beneficial.鈥

Adults need 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. That鈥檚 roughly 20 minutes of brisk walking or light jogging a day.

鈥淚nflammation is a key process that drives colorectal cancer. We know a high BMI causes inflammation around the body,鈥 Ulrich says. 鈥淥besity is on the verge of becoming the number one cause of cancer in the United States, surpassing smoking. More than 13 cancers are linked to obesity. It鈥檚 important we understand that moderate exercise can help colorectal cancer patients reduce inflammation, improve their gut health, and live longer鈥攅ven if they are overweight or obese,鈥 Ulrich says.

Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, with 106,180 new cases of colon cancer and 44,850 new instances of rectal cancer this year, according to the . Having high levels of inflammation, as seen in those with higher BMIs or who are not physically active, increases a person鈥檚 risk of developing colon cancer.

Ose adds, 鈥淚f you reduce your BMI, you have lower levels of inflammation. If you have lower inflammation, your risk of death is reduced.鈥

Huntsman Cancer Institute experts recommend people of average risk for colorectal cancer should start regular screenings at age 45, with either a test that looks for signs of cancer in a person鈥檚 stool or a colonoscopy.

Ulrich leads the ColoCare Study, which includes more than 3,500 people newly diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer. It takes place at Huntsman Cancer Institute and several other top United States and international research institutions, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the Moffitt Cancer Center, 香蕉视频 Hospital Heidelberg, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Washington 香蕉视频 in St. Louis, and the 香蕉视频 of Tennessee.  

The studies were supported by generous grants from the and Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

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Heather Simonsen
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Huntsman Cancer Institute
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About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 香蕉视频 of Utah

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.

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