Physically Active Cancer Survivors Live Longer, Study Finds

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology, Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team.

A black elderly couple brisk walking outdoors.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world and Africa is no exception. From breast cancer to prostate and colon cancer, many families have been affected in one way or another.

Over the years, treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have improved survival rates but scientists are still exploring other ways to help cancer survivors live longer and healthier lives. One area that has gained attention is physical activity, not just before cancer but after diagnosis.

A recent large study has added weight to this idea, showing that cancer survivors who engage in regular physical activity after diagnosis may live longer than those who do not.

About the Study

This study involved 90,844 cancer survivors from six major research groups in the United States. These survivors had an average age of 67 years and had been diagnosed with different types of cancer including breast, lung, colon, prostate, oral, endometrial, rectal, respiratory, bladder and kidney cancer. The researchers followed them for nearly 11 years on average and tracked how long they lived after diagnosis in relation to their physical activity levels.

Participants reported their leisure-time physical activity, such as walking, cycling or any exercise done during their free time, after they were diagnosed with cancer. The researchers then compared survival rates between those who were active and those who were not.

What the Study Found

The results showed that people who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity after their cancer diagnosis lived longer than those who did not. The study found that doing 150 to 300 minutes of exercise each week was linked with a 29% reduction in the risk of death for survivors of many cancers.

For example:

• The risk of death dropped by 56% for oral cancer survivors
• 50% lower risk was seen in endometrial cancer survivors
• Those with lung and rectal cancer had a 49% reduction in risk
• There was a 47% reduction in bladder and kidney cancer survivors.
• Prostate cancer survivors had a 40% lower risk
• A 39% drop in risk was seen among colon cancer survivors
• Breast cancer survivors experienced a 33% reduction in risk of death.

Those who met the recommended level of exercise saw even greater benefits, with an average reduction of 42%. People who went beyond the recommended amount by doing two to three times more saw the biggest impact, with their risk dropping by 57%.

What makes this study even more convincing is that the findings remained strong even after the researchers removed people who died within two years of diagnosis and this helped rule out the idea that people who were too sick to exercise were simply more likely to die.

What the Study Means to Africans

In many African countries, cancer treatment is still developing and access to care can be limited. Because of this, simple and affordable ways to improve survival are very important. Physical activity is one of them.

It does not cost money to walk regularly or engage in home-based exercises and this study shows that cancer survivors do not have to rely on medicine and treatment alone, as regular exercise can play a vital role in improving their chances of living longer.

This research challenges the belief that cancer survivors should avoid physical activity and makes it clear that staying active in a safe and consistent way can actually support recovery and long-term health. It also helps with common side effects like fatigue, depression and muscle weakness.

Importance of Physical Activity

Here are some possible ways by which exercise helps:

• Exercise improves immune function, which helps the body fight off disease.
• It reduces inflammation, which can slow cancer progression.
• It improves heart health and mental wellbeing, both of which are crucial during recovery.
• It helps maintain a healthy weight, which is linked to better outcomes for many cancers.

The study also focused on moderate to vigorous physical activity, which includes exercises that raise your heart rate and make you breathe a bit harder.

Moderate activities include things like brisk walking, cycling on level ground, dancing or even household chores like sweeping or gardening. Vigorous activities, on the other hand, include jogging, skipping, aerobic dancing or playing football. The goal is to aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a mix of both, spread throughout the week.

While the benefits are clear, not everyone finds it easy to stay active after cancer treatment. Some may feel too tired or weak, while others might not have the information or support they need. This is where hospitals, families and support groups have a role to play. Doctors and nurses should encourage survivors to gradually return to physical activity, starting small and increasing over time.

Wrap Up

While treatment is important, taking control of your own recovery through regular physical activity is a powerful step you can take. Exercise does not have to be intense or expensive and it is never too late to start. Even simple daily walks can make a big difference because every step counts.

As we continue to fight cancer across the world, let us also embrace healthy lifestyle changes like exercise, not just for prevention but also for survival.

Source: Rees-Punia E, Teras LR, Newton CC, Moore SC, Min Lee I, Bates-Fraser L, et. al. Leisure-time physical activity after diagnosis and survival by cancer type: a pooled analysis, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2025. Available from here.

Related:

10 Reasons Africans Should Exercise

7 Tips for Sustainable Exercise for Beginners in Africa

Is exercise good for heart health?

Published: July 3, 2025

© 2025. Datelinehealth Africa Inc. All rights reserved.

Permission is given to copy, use and share content for non-commercial purposes without alteration or modification and subject to source attribution.