Research
Mixed
Postdiagnosis physical activity provides greater mortality benefits than prediagnosis physical activity for breast and colon cancer survivors.
If you are a breast or colon cancer survivor, engage in physical activity as tolerated. Postdiagnosis activity is particularly beneficial for improving survival outcomes, so start with what you can handle and gradually increase.
GoodSupportsMEDIUM confidence
data suggesting that postdiagnosis physical activity provides greater mortality benefits than prediagnosis physical activity.
Why this rating
Based on observational studies and some RCTs, but more definitive trials are pending.
Source
American College of Sports Medicine Roundtable Report on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Cancer Prevention and Control
Alpa V. Patel et al. · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2019
DOI 10.1249/mss.0000000000002117
narrative_reviewCited 849×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Higher levels of physical activity are associated with a 10-24% lower risk of developing seven specific cancers (colon, breast, kidney, endometrial, bladder, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and stomach/cardia), with evidence strength rated as 'strong' by the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee.Strong
- High levels of physical activity are associated with a 27% increased risk of melanoma, likely due to increased outdoor sun exposure rather than the activity itself.Good
- Prolonged sitting time is associated with a 30% higher risk of endometrial cancer and a 30% higher risk of colorectal cancer, independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.Good
Related findings · Mixed
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