2025 Jun 13, 09:33
Recommended exercise has been found to lead to a "fairly profound" reduction in mortality for cancer survivors, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study, led by exercise scientist Lee W. Jones, PhD, chief of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Exercise Oncology Service, found that guideline-concordant exercise reduced all-cause mortality by 25% compared to cancer patients who did not exercise. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 individuals with various types of cancer, and found that those who exercised had a median survival time of about 5 years longer than non-exercisers after a cancer diagnosis
Jones explained that cancer patients are often interested in finding ways to improve their response to treatment and minimize the chances of the disease coming back. The study used self-reported exercise data and found that exercise consistent with national guidelines was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of dying from cancer and other non-cancer-related causes. Jones emphasized that while the study shows an association, further randomized trials are needed to establish causality. He also hopes that the findings will encourage more oncologists and healthcare professionals to recommend exercise to cancer patients, as it has both cancer-specific and cardiovascular benefits.