Exercise Lowers Cancer Risk
New clinical review links structured exercise to significantly lower cancer mortality and recurrence rates.
Anonymous
A review of 21 randomized clinical trials involving 8,449 cancer patients found that structured exercise included in post-treatment care was associated with a 23% lower risk of death and a 17% lower risk of cancer recurrence compared with usual care without a prescribed exercise program. The analysis also indicated lower risks of cancer-specific and overall mortality, although the studies do not establish that exercise alone caused the improved outcomes. Benefits were strongest among patients who completed at least 70% of their programs, those with earlier-stage disease, and participants who did aerobic exercise or combined aerobic and resistance training; resistance training alone showed no significant survival benefit. Researchers said the findings support considering exercise as part of cancer care, while emphasizing that programs should be tailored to patients’ conditions and recovery needs. The evidence is particularly relevant because cancer recurs in an estimated 20% to 40% of patients after treatment, but experts cautioned that exercise should complement—not replace—standard therapies.
Key Points
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The 21 eligible randomized trials were selected from an initial pool of 123 studies published through the end of 2025. Participants were predominantly women (88%), had an average age of 54, and were monitored for an average of 64 months.
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About two-thirds of participants in the pooled trials had breast cancer, while 11% had colorectal cancer, meaning the evidence base was concentrated in a relatively small number of cancer types.
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Lead researcher Chih-Chen Tzang said the review provided “direct and quantified evidence” on outcomes oncologists use to assess treatment, rather than focusing only on quality of life and symptoms.
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Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said people recovering from cancer should have access to physical-activity support as part of their care “where appropriate,” while recognizing that exercise programs must reflect individual recovery circumstances.
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The review’s authors suggested that the differing results between aerobic and resistance exercise may be related to distinct biological adaptations, including cardiovascular and immune effects, rather than simply the amount of physical activity performed.
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