Researchers studied 120 patients with colon polyps or early-stage colon cancer to understand how lifestyle choices affect disease progression. Over about 18 months, they found that people who exercised regularly and ate healthy diets were less likely to experience cancer growth, while smokers and those with poor sleep had higher risks. The study suggests that simple lifestyle changes—like moving more, eating better, quitting smoking, and sleeping well—could help slow cancer progression and reduce the need for aggressive treatments in people with early-stage colon cancer.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether everyday lifestyle habits like exercise, diet, smoking, sleep, and stress affect how quickly colon polyps and early-stage colon cancer get worse
  • Who participated: 120 patients with colon polyps or early-stage colon cancer from a hospital in China, followed for about 18 months
  • Key finding: People who exercised regularly had 45% lower risk of cancer progression, and those eating healthy diets had 38% lower risk. Smokers had nearly double the risk, and poor sleep increased risk by 21%
  • What it means for you: If you have colon polyps or early-stage colon cancer, making lifestyle changes—especially exercising, eating well, and quitting smoking—may help slow disease progression. However, these findings should be discussed with your doctor before making major changes

The Research Details

Researchers recruited 120 patients with colon polyps or early-stage colon cancer between January 2022 and December 2023. They asked patients detailed questions about their exercise habits, what they ate, smoking status, sleep quality, and stress levels using standard questionnaires that have been tested for accuracy. The researchers then followed these patients for an average of 18.4 months, checking their progress with colonoscopies (camera exams of the colon) and tissue samples. They used statistical methods to determine which lifestyle factors were connected to disease progression while accounting for other factors that might affect outcomes.

This approach is important because it looks at real patients in actual clinical settings rather than just laboratory studies. By tracking multiple lifestyle factors together, researchers can identify which habits matter most and how they work together. This helps doctors understand what practical changes patients can make to improve their outcomes.

This study has several strengths: it followed patients over time with objective medical tests, used validated questionnaires to measure lifestyle factors, and adjusted for other factors that could affect results. However, the sample size is relatively small (120 patients), and it was conducted in one hospital in China, which may limit how broadly the findings apply to other populations. The study is observational, meaning it shows associations but cannot prove that lifestyle changes directly cause better outcomes.

What the Results Show

Among the 120 patients studied, 42 (35%) experienced disease progression during the follow-up period. Patients with high levels of physical activity had significantly lower progression risk—about 45% lower than those with low activity levels. This protective effect was strong and statistically significant. Similarly, patients who followed a healthy dietary pattern had about 38% lower progression risk compared to those with poor diets. These benefits appeared to work through the body’s inflammation levels, metabolism, and immune system function. The protective effects of exercise and healthy eating were especially strong in younger patients (under 60 years old) and those who had multiple polyps at the start of the study.

Current smokers had nearly double the risk of disease progression compared to non-smokers. Poor sleep quality was associated with a 21% increased risk of progression. Interestingly, stress levels showed a trend toward increased risk but the connection was weaker than for other factors. The combination of multiple unhealthy lifestyle factors appeared to have a cumulative negative effect—patients with several risk factors had much higher progression rates than those with just one or two.

These findings align with previous research showing that physical activity and healthy diets reduce colon cancer risk in the general population. However, this study is among the first to specifically examine how these factors affect disease progression in patients who already have polyps or early-stage cancer. The results support the growing understanding that lifestyle factors influence cancer through inflammation and immune system pathways, not just through initial cancer development.

The study included only 120 patients from a single hospital in China, which may not represent all populations. The relatively short follow-up period (18.4 months average) means longer-term effects are unknown. Because this is an observational study, it shows associations but cannot prove that lifestyle changes directly cause slower progression—people who exercise might differ in other unmeasured ways. The study relied on patient self-reporting of lifestyle habits, which can be inaccurate. Additionally, the study did not measure the intensity or specific types of exercise or dietary components, which could provide more detailed guidance.

The Bottom Line

For patients with colon polyps or early-stage colon cancer: (1) Aim for regular physical activity—at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise appears beneficial (moderate confidence); (2) Adopt a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting processed meats and red meat (moderate confidence); (3) If you smoke, quitting should be a priority as smoking significantly increases progression risk (moderate-to-high confidence); (4) Prioritize good sleep, aiming for 7-9 hours per night (moderate confidence). These recommendations should always be discussed with your oncologist or gastroenterologist before implementation.

This research is most relevant for people with diagnosed colon polyps or early-stage colon cancer. It may also interest people with a family history of colon cancer or those over 45 (standard screening age). The findings are less directly applicable to people without colon polyps or cancer, though the general health benefits of exercise and healthy eating apply broadly. People with advanced colon cancer should discuss these findings with their medical team, as treatment approaches may differ.

Realistic expectations: lifestyle changes typically take 3-6 months to show measurable effects on inflammation and immune markers. Disease progression is usually monitored every 3-6 months with colonoscopies. Most patients should expect to see some benefit within 6-12 months if they consistently maintain lifestyle changes, though individual results vary significantly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes (goal: 150+ minutes of moderate activity), daily servings of vegetables and fruits (goal: 5+ servings), sleep duration (goal: 7-9 hours), and smoking status (goal: zero cigarettes). Create a simple weekly scorecard showing how many days you met each goal.
  • Start with one manageable change: either add a 30-minute walk three times per week, or commit to eating one extra vegetable serving daily. Once this becomes routine (2-3 weeks), add a second change. This gradual approach is more sustainable than trying to change everything at once.
  • Use the app to log daily habits and review weekly trends. Set reminders for exercise and meal planning. Share monthly summaries with your healthcare provider during follow-up appointments. Track any symptoms or changes in how you feel alongside lifestyle metrics to identify patterns.

This research describes associations between lifestyle factors and colon cancer progression in a specific patient population. These findings should not replace medical advice from your doctor or oncologist. Before making significant lifestyle changes, especially if you have been diagnosed with colon polyps or cancer, consult with your healthcare provider. This study was observational and cannot prove that lifestyle changes directly cause slower disease progression. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always follow your medical team’s treatment and monitoring recommendations.