29 August 2025
Get moving for life: physical exercise reduces recurrence and mortality from colon cancer
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine is revolutionising the approach to post-chemotherapy oncological treatment; supervised physical exercise is not only to be recommended, but can also be life-saving.
An authoritative international study published in the prestigious medical review New England Journal of Medicine on 1 June 2025 brought to light a surprising fact: in patients cured of colon cancer, following a structured physical exercise programme reduces recurrence by 28% and overall mortality by 37%, compared with those who do not change their lifestyles. The results, presented at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, represent a turning point for oncological medicine.
Three years of movement for a longer life
The study involved 889 patients from five countries (Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Israel and the United States) in the post-chemotherapy phase. Half of them followed a supervised physical exercise programme for three years, which included regular sessions with a coach and simple but constant exercise, such as walking for 45 minutes a few times a week. The other half received only informational materials.
The results were unequivocal: the active patients showed a drastic reduction in recurrence and increased survival, with no significant side effects other than minor muscle pain. Even more importantly, many maintained the movement habit even after the end of the programme, improving their physical and mental quality of life.
According to the study’s authors, supervised physical exercise should become an integral part of the oncological treatment pathway. The benefits can be compared to those of many drug therapies, but at significantly lower costs.
For many experts, this is a historic moment. “We can now say with certainty that exercise improves survival”, asserts Prof. Kerry Courneya, a Canadian researcher at the University of Alberta and the research’s lead author. Future studies will also help clarify the biological mechanisms of this effect, such as the influence on the immune system and insulin metabolism.
The study involved 889 patients from five countries (Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Israel and the United States) in the post-chemotherapy phase. Half of them followed a supervised physical exercise programme for three years, which included regular sessions with a coach and simple but constant exercise, such as walking for 45 minutes a few times a week. The other half received only informational materials.
The results were unequivocal: the active patients showed a drastic reduction in recurrence and increased survival, with no significant side effects other than minor muscle pain. Even more importantly, many maintained the movement habit even after the end of the programme, improving their physical and mental quality of life.
According to the study’s authors, supervised physical exercise should become an integral part of the oncological treatment pathway. The benefits can be compared to those of many drug therapies, but at significantly lower costs.
For many experts, this is a historic moment. “We can now say with certainty that exercise improves survival”, asserts Prof. Kerry Courneya, a Canadian researcher at the University of Alberta and the research’s lead author. Future studies will also help clarify the biological mechanisms of this effect, such as the influence on the immune system and insulin metabolism.
The culture of movement: an ally for health
The research confirms what Technogym has been promoting since it was founded in the early 1980s – movement is a genuine preventative and therapeutic medicine. The company, a world leader in wellness, has been working with medical institutions to integrate physical exercise into clinical practice and spread a culture of accessible and sustainable wellness.
At a time when oncology is looking for personalised and effective solutions, the integration of physical exercise as a therapeutic tool represents not only a promise, but a solid reality supported by the data. A decisive step towards a new treatment paradigm, in which getting moving can save your life.
The research confirms what Technogym has been promoting since it was founded in the early 1980s – movement is a genuine preventative and therapeutic medicine. The company, a world leader in wellness, has been working with medical institutions to integrate physical exercise into clinical practice and spread a culture of accessible and sustainable wellness.
At a time when oncology is looking for personalised and effective solutions, the integration of physical exercise as a therapeutic tool represents not only a promise, but a solid reality supported by the data. A decisive step towards a new treatment paradigm, in which getting moving can save your life.
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