During the study, results from six major long-term projects were combined, where the level of physical activity of participants was assessed both before and approximately 2.8 years after diagnosis. Patient observations lasted about 11 years, during which physical activity was compared with mortality rates. Factors such as age, gender, smoking, and disease stage were taken into account, allowing for a more accurate determination of the impact of physical activity.
The results showed that physical activity significantly reduces the risk of death in patients with various oncological diseases: by 61% in oral cancer, by 44% in lung cancer, by 38% in endometrial cancer, and by 33% in bladder cancer. Interestingly, even those who led a sedentary lifestyle before diagnosis but began engaging in physical activity afterward experienced positive effects: the risk of death in lung cancer patients decreased by 42%, and in those suffering from rectal cancer, it decreased by 49%.
Researchers noted that even moderate physical activity, less than 150 minutes per week, is much more beneficial than complete inactivity. Furthermore, increasing the volume of training above the recommended level further reduces mortality in certain patient categories. Scientists urged healthcare professionals to actively support physical activity as an important component in the treatment and rehabilitation process for people with oncological diseases.
