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Few patients with colorectal cancer receive advice on exercise
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Only one-third of patients with colorectal cancer reported being advised to engage in physical activity during treatment despite evidence that exercise is linked to better survival, according to new research data.
“Our research suggests that advice on being active isn’t in place yet, but we believe this should become a part of bowel cancer care,” Abi Fisher, PhD, senior researcher from the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London, said in a press release. “Previous research has shown that doctors can increase their cancer patients’ level of activity by discussing exercise, but they need clear information to ensure this important advice becomes routine. We’re keen to boost the number of health professionals promoting physical activity by finding simple but effective ways to give this important advice.”
Abi Fisher
Martin Ledwick
To determine whether recalling being given physical activity advice is associated with higher levels of physical activity, Fisher and colleagues collected data from a U.K. Department of Health-commissioned survey distributed to 34,467 adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2010 or 2011 and were 12 to 36 months postdiagnosis. Of the 15,254 patients included in the final analysis, 60% were men, 67% were aged at least 65 years and 96% were white.
Overall, 31% recalled being advised on physical activity. Demographic differences included:
- 35% of men vs. 25% of women (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.55-1.79);
- 37% of patients younger than 55 years vs. 20% of those aged at least 85 years (OR = 2.41; 95% CI, 1.95-2.9);
- 32% of highest socioeconomic group vs. 28% of lowest (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.1-1.43); and
- 32% of patients in remission vs. 27% not in remission (OR = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.3).
Of patients who recalled being given advice, 51% were doing at least some activity (OR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.74-2.05) and 25% were meeting guidelines (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.75-2.09) compared with 42% and 20%, respectively, of patients who received no advice.
The researchers concluded that being given physical activity advice after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer was associated with higher levels of physical activity, but less than one-third of patients recalled receiving such advice.
“There’s evidence to show that exercise is beneficial and safe for cancer patients,” Martin Ledwick, RN, MSc, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, said in the release. “And some studies show that it can even help to speed up recovery after treatment. Patients should discuss exercise with their doctor to make sure it’s a safe option and to get advice on exercises to suit their lifestyle and ability.” – by Adam Leitenberger
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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