What if sports after chemotherapy could save lives? A vast international study has just delivered results that change the situation.
Adapted physical activity: an alternative medicine that changes everything … except survival?
In recent years, Adapted physical activity (APA) stands out as a complementary pillar in the management of many chronic pathologies. Unlike the image of a high -level sport, APA is aimed at people with diseases or convalescence, with personalized, supervised and secure programs. The principle is simple: put the body back in motion, without pain or overload.
As part of cancers, the benefits are well documented. The apa allows fight against fatigueto improve the physical form, to preserve autonomy And even to strengthen morale. Until now, these effects were mainly observed on the quality of life. Few studies had shown a real impact on survival or recurrence … until now.
As Dr. Christopher Booth, oncologist at Queen’s University explains: “After surgery and chemotherapy, around 30 % of patients with stadium III or high -risk colon cancer end up experiencing recurrence. As aicologists, one of the most common questions that we are asked is: “What can I do more to improve my prognosis?”“.
Challenge study: Sport prescribed as a drug?
It is precisely to this question that the study answers Challengepresented in June 2025 at ASCO. This vast international clinical trial followed for almost 8 years 889 patients suffering from colon cancer. All had been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. They were then divided into two groups:
- The first received a structured physical activity program, with personalized coaching;
- The second was only given health brochures.
The results are final:
- 80 % survival without illness at 5 years in the Sport group against 74 % in the control group;
- 28 % reduction in the risk of recurrence or new cancer;
- 37 % less risk of death in patients who have followed the program.
The positive effects do not stop there: the participants of the APA group also have improved their respiratory capacity, endurance, and their physical strength over three years. Only one downside: 19 % reported musculoskeletal pain or injuries, of which only 10 % directly linked to the exercise.
For Dr. Booth, the implications are clear:
“”In patients with stadium 3 or high -risk stage 2 colon cancer, a structured exercise program improves survival -free survival, overall survival, perceived physical form and physical capacities. Health systems should integrate these exercise programs as a healthcare standard“.
In France, prescription sport is already possible … but little applied
Beyond the figures, this study raises a substantive question: can sport become a prescription in its own right in oncology? The response of the Dr. Pamela Kunz, oncologist in Yale and expert for ASCO, is unambiguous: “This is the first randomized phase 3 trial in patients with stadium in III and high risk colon cancer to demonstrate that post-treatment exercise is both achievable and effective to improve survival without disease. Exercise is obvious, it should be largely implemented “.
In France, the legal framework allows this since 2016: doctors can prescribe physical activity adapted to their patients with long -term conditions (ALD), including cancers. This APA can be supervised by trained professionals, but still remains too little systematized in care courses. Challenge results could therefore encourage rethink the organization of careby fully integrating physical exercise as a full -fledged medical component.