Beating bowel cancer with burpees

The SU2C-supported CHALLENGE trial has revealed that, when it comes to beating bowel cancer for good, it could be survival of the fittest.

Results from the international trial, which was led by Professor Vicky Coyle in the UK, show that supporting people to do regular exercise made it more likely they’d survive the disease.

The trial focused on people who’d already finished their treatment for bowel cancer but faced the risk of their cancer coming back. The researchers found that people who received personalised support to meet weekly activity goals were 37% less likely to die in the eight years following treatment, compared to people who received standard health advice.

The study gives clear, encouraging evidence that, for some people, physical activity can help keep bowel cancers at bay. The next step is to work with decision-makers to bring this simple yet life-saving intervention into routine cancer care.

Researcher:

Dr Vicky Coyle

Location:

Belfast