Exercise and survival benefit in cancer patients - evidence from a comprehensive meta-analysis

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, and growing evidence suggests that physical activity is a key modifiable factor that may improve survival outcomes in cancer patients. This comprehensive meta-analysis systematically evaluates the association between post-diagnosis physical activity and survival across multiple cancer types, including breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancers. Eligible studies (January 2000–November 2024) used prospective cohort and case-control designs reporting hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for overall or cancer-specific mortality.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Methods and study selection

Findings by cancer type

Implications for oncological care

GeroScience (2025) 47:5235–5255 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01647-0](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01647-0) Exercise and survival benefit in cancer patients: evidence from a comprehensive meta‑analysis Zoltan Ungvari · Mónika Fekete · Péter Varga · Gyöngyi Munkácsy · János Tibor Fekete · Andrea Lehoczki · Annamaria Buda · Csaba Kiss · Anna Ungvari · Balázs Győrffy Received: 15 February 2025 / Revised: 1 April 2025 / Accepted: 2 April 2025 / Published online: 12 April 2025 © The Author(s) 2025 Abstract Cancer remains a major global health challenge, and growing evidence suggests that physical activity is a key modifiable factor that may improve survival outcomes in cancer patients. However, a comprehensive, large-scale synthesis of the effects of post-diagnosis physical activity across multiple cancer types remains lacking. This metaanalysis aims to systematically evaluate the association between physical activity and survival in patients diagnosed with breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancers. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Zoltan Ungvari, Mónika Fekete and Péter Varga contributed equally. Z. Ungvari Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Z. Ungvari Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Z. Ungvari Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Z. Ungvari Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Library for studies on physical activity and cancer survival. Eligible studies (January 2000–November 2024) included adults (≥ 18 years) with breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, or skin cancer. Only prospective cohort and case–control studies reporting hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall or cancer-specific mortality were included, with a minimum sample size of 100 and at least six months of follow-up. Meta-analysis was performed using [metaanalysisonline.com](metaanalysisonline.com), applying randomeffects models and assessing heterogeneity via the I2 statistic. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias (Egger’s test, funnel plots) were evaluated. The metaanalysis included 151 cohorts with almost 1.5 million Z. Ungvari International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College, Health Sciences Division/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary M. Fekete · P. Varga · A. Lehoczki · A. Buda · A. Ungvari (*) Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary [e-mail: Ungann2004@gmail.com](e-mail: Ungann2004@gmail.com) M. Fekete · P. Varga · A. Lehoczki · A. Buda Jozsef Fodor Center for Prevention and Healthy Aging, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary cancer patients. Post-diagnosis physical activity was associated with significantly lower cancer-specific mortality across all five cancer types. The greatest benefit was observed in breast cancer, with a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.63–0.75), followed by prostate cancer (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62– 0.87) . Lung cancer patients who engaged in physical activity had a 24% lower risk of cancer-specific death (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69–0. 84), while colorectal cancer patients experienced a similar benefit (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.63–0.80) . In skin cancer, physical activity was associated with a non-significant reduction in mortality (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.71–1.05) . These findings provide robust evidence supporting the survival benefits of post-diagnosis physical activity in cancer patients, particularly for breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. The results unde

FAQs

What is the main purpose of this meta-analysis?

To systematically evaluate the association between post-diagnosis physical activity and survival outcomes in cancer patients across multiple cancer types.

Which cancer types and study designs were included?

The analysis included adults with breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, or skin cancer, using prospective cohort and case-control studies that reported hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

What is the overall relationship between post-diagnosis physical activity and mortality?

Post-diagnosis physical activity was associated with significantly lower cancer-specific mortality across all five cancer types.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai