Local Hospital's Role in Cancer Research Highlights Exercise Benefits

A significant breakthrough in cancer research has emerged, underscoring the transformative role of exercise in improving survival rates for colon cancer patients. The Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Cancer Centre has been instrumental in a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which revealed that structured exercise can dramatically enhance survival outcomes for individuals diagnosed with colon cancer. This study, known as the CO.21 (CHALLENGE) study, was spearheaded by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group and involved 889 patients from 55 clinical sites across Canada, with WRHN contributing data from 33 local patients since 2009.

The findings from the CO.21 study indicate that patients who engaged in a structured exercise program experienced a 37% reduction in the risk of death and a 28% decrease in the recurrence or development of new cancers compared to those who received only health education materials. Dr. Stacey Hubay, a Medical Oncologist and Principal Investigator at WRHN, remarked, "This is a transformative moment in oncology, and we’re proud to have played a key role in this global research. We’ve long known anecdotally that exercise benefits cancer patients, but to see such clear improvements in disease-free and overall survival, confirmed by rigorous data, is extraordinary."

This collaboration between WRHN and the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence (CCCARE), along with the UW WELL-FIT program, has enabled local patients to participate in evidence-based exercise interventions tailored for cancer recovery. According to Carla Girolametto, Director of Research Operations at WRHN, "This is a model of how regional hospitals can shape international research and how local partnerships can deliver global impact."

The CO.21 study’s results are not merely academic; they have profound implications for cancer care protocols. Julia Fraser, a Ph.D. candidate and co-investigator at CCCARE, stated, "It’s the natural evolution of what CO.21 helped to prove: exercise is medicine." This sentiment is echoed by Nicole Thomson, Ph.D., Vice President of Quality, Research and Patient Experience at WRHN, who emphasized that the study exemplifies how community hospitals can contribute to high-impact research and drive innovation in patient care.

The impact of this research extends beyond statistical outcomes; it resonates on a personal level. Russel Espiritu, a participant in the CO.21 study, shared his experience: "Staying active during and after treatment helped me manage the side effects, physically and mentally. I truly hope these study results will encourage physicians to prescribe exercise as part of standard cancer care."

The collaboration initiated by the UW WELL-FIT program, which began over two decades ago to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment, has evolved to cater to a broader patient population, reinforcing the importance of physical activity in enhancing mental and physical well-being across the cancer experience.

As the research community continues to explore exercise’s potential in oncology, additional studies are underway to further examine its benefits in other cancer types. Dr. Anupam Batra, Principal Investigator of EXE-COPP, is currently investigating how exercise can mitigate physical and cognitive decline in men with metastatic prostate cancer. The ongoing dialogue about integrating structured exercise into cancer treatment plans marks a pivotal shift in oncological practices, potentially setting new standards for patient care and survivorship.