The large-scale research behind this guidance reveals a powerful benefit: prescribed physical activity can not only rebuild fitness but also potentially lower the chance of the cancer returning and help patients live longer.

The findings come from an international trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The decade-long study tracked nearly 900 people across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, and Israel, and the results are being described as practice-changing for oncologists worldwide.

What the trial revealed about structured exercise

The trial enrolled 889 individuals, most with stage three colon disease, between 2009 and 2023. Participants were randomly divided: one group received only lifestyle advice through a booklet, while the other took part in a structured, supervised exercise program with support from personal trainers and health coaches.

The difference in outcomes was striking. After five years, those in the exercise group had a 28% lower risk of developing new or recurrent disease. At the eight-year mark, the same group also showed a 37% lower risk of death compared with those who received lifestyle advice alone.

Dr. Gralow, chief medical officer at ASCO, noted that the magnitude of benefit was on par with, or greater than, many drugs currently prescribed after treatment. Unlike medication, exercise does not carry toxic side effects. “We titled [the session] As Good as a Drug. I would have retitled it Better than a Drug”, she said.

What structured training looks like and how you can implement it

The study program wasn’t extreme, but it was consistent. Patients worked with a trainer twice a month in the beginning, tapering down to once a month, over three years. They were coached toward weekly goals equal to three or four brisk walks lasting 45 to 60 minutes each.

Some participants chose other activities, from kayaking to skiing, but the key was regular, moderate-to-vigorous movement combined with professional support. If you are recovering and want to add exercise safely, here are the main steps experts recommend:

Start with guidance: Always check with your care team before beginning a new program. A physical therapist or exercise physiologist can help set safe limits.
Aim for consistency: The target in the trial was about 150 to 180 minutes of activity per week, spread across several sessions.
Mix intensity: Sessions should include both moderate exercise, like walking at a steady pace, and slightly higher intensity bouts, where talking becomes harder.
Work with support: Having a trainer or health coach helped participants stay accountable and adjust routines when needed.
Keep variety: Walking is effective, but adding cycling, swimming, or other enjoyable activities can help sustain long-term commitment.
Track progress: Simple logs or wearable devices can help measure improvements and keep motivation high.

When building movement into recovery, it’s important to focus on achievable, sustainable activities that strengthen the body, regulate weight, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system. The trial’s results show that supervised exercise should not be treated as an optional add-on, but as a standard part of follow-up care.