In a trailblazing effort, the FIRST trial proved that a prescribed exercise regime significantly lowered the risk of colon cancer coming back. In addition, it reduces the patient’s risk of death. Led by Dr. Christopher Booth, the study included 889 patients. These participants were distributed across six countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Canada and Israel. The results highlight how important post-treatment cancer care is for addressing physical activity.
Dr. Pamela Kunz, a leading voice in oncology, noted how cancer treatment plans should proactively incorporate exercise into recovery from the start. She stated that “exercise as an intervention is a no-brainer” and should be implemented widely among cancer survivors. The trial’s results strongly support a change in how healthcare providers think about and deliver post-treatment care.
The national trial, which started in 2009 and concluded in early 2023, focused on patients with stage three colon cancer. Even more encouraging, 90% of participants fell within this category. Women were randomized to a moderate-intensity exercise program or a control condition given general health recommendations. The structured exercise group started their meetings with personal trainers in a fun, energetic way. Over the next three years these sessions moved to once a month but continued to offer coaching and led practice workouts.
Patients who engaged in the exercise program were found to have a stunning 37% reduced risk of death. Participants who only received health information did not show this effect. They had nearly a 30% lower risk of having a recurrence or new cancers develop. Five years into the study, these findings continued to carry the most weight. Overall, the exercise group still had a 28% lower risk of cancer recurrence than non-exercisers.
With each passing year of the trial, the long-term benefits became demonstrably clearer. After eight years, those in the exercise group had a remarkable 37% reduced chance of dying. In comparison, participants who only obtained a healthy lifestyle booklet didn’t see the same success.
Dr. Julie Gralow spoke to the strength of the trial’s findings, calling these a reflection of the “highest level of evidence.” We hope that the treatment protocols established as a result of this sound investigation can have worldwide implications. Prof Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, said that bespoke exercise programs after treatment would be – in the words of many patients – “life-changing.”
Participants in the active group were given a weekly exercise goal. They wanted three to four walks under their belt, each one in the range of 45 to 60 minutes. This systematic, militaristic approach emphasized the development of physical fitness. Furthermore, it fostered a community atmosphere with kind, encouraging providers that continuously engaged patients and motivated them on their path to recovery.
That should be a wake-up call.” Prof Charles Swanton has gone as far as suggesting on transforming health outcomes through exercise for cancer survivors. He stated that the study captures “the power of exercise to transform people’s health and boost their chances of surviving cancer after treatment.”
As the brief for this trial points out, the implications are sweeping. Doctors around the world are now being urged to have conversations about exercise regimens included in their patients’ post-treatment care plans. The results illustrate just how crucial physical activity can be after a cancer diagnosis. It should be treated as an integral part of successful recovery approaches, rather than an afterthought or add-on.