Overview

• The global CHALLENGE trial tracked 889 colon cancer survivors across six countries from 2009 to 2024, comparing a three-year structured exercise program with standard health education.
• Participants in the exercise group experienced 28% fewer cancer recurrences and 37% fewer deaths from any cause over eight years than those receiving only informational support.
• At five years, disease-free survival was 80.3% in the exercise cohort versus 73.9% in the control group, and eight-year overall survival reached 90% compared to 83%.
• Oncologists at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting highlighted that these benefits rival some drug therapies and called for exercise coaching to become a routine component of colon cancer treatment.
• The program’s estimated cost of C$3,000–5,000 per patient is significantly lower than many oncology drugs, bolstering its appeal as a cost-effective intervention.