The CHALLENGE Trial: Results on a Pivotal New Study for Colon Cancer Patients

Dr. Ning Rosenthal and Rachel discuss a pivotal new study that shows how exercise can help people who’ve had colon cancer live longer and lower the chance of the cancer coming back.

The CHALLENGE Trial, followed almost 900 people. Half of the participants joined a guided exercise program for three years. The others just got general tips about staying healthy. The people who exercised regularly were much more likely to stay cancer-free and live longer. People felt better, got stronger, and stayed healthier.

The exercise program was simple things like walking, swimming, or light workouts, with help from a coach. It wasn’t intense, but it made a big difference. The lead doctor on the study, Dr. Christopher Booth, said it best: working out with the right support doesn’t just make you feel good—it can help save your life. It’s a clear reminder that staying active really matters