When Cherri Bullard laces up her running shoes, she’s not just preparing for another marathon—she’s celebrating life itself.
Diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2015, Cherri is now gearing up for her third marathon, and she credits her structured exercise routine as a key reason she’s still here to tell the tale.
For Cherri, running isn’t just about crossing finish lines or collecting medals. It’s about survival, resilience, and hope.
‘I think it just makes you realise you’ve got to keep exercising. Keep your body strong. Keep yourself out of the hospital,’ she says. And she’s not alone in this belief.
Cherri was one of nearly 900 stage 2 or 3 colon cancer patients from Australia and Canada who took part in a groundbreaking study led by the University of Sydney and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.
The study, which spanned an impressive 17 years, set out to answer a simple but powerful question: Can a structured exercise program, alongside traditional cancer treatment, improve survival rates for colon cancer patients?
The results were nothing short of remarkable. Patients who committed to a three-year structured exercise program had a 37 per cent lower risk of death compared to those who didn’t exercise regularly.
After three years, 80 per cent of those in the exercise group were disease-free. Even more impressively, that number climbed to 90 per cent after eight years. In contrast, those who didn’t follow a structured exercise routine had an 83 per cent survival rate after eight years.
‘It’s been nearly 10 years now, which is pretty good,’ Cherri reflects. ‘A lot of people don’t last that long, but I think if you exercise and you’re surrounded by good support, you can get better and you can last longer.’
Colon cancer remains a significant health challenge in Australia, with around 15,500 new cases diagnosed last year alone.
While the rates are declining among older Australians, there’s a worrying trend: more people aged 50 and under are being diagnosed with the disease.
Professor Janette Vardy from the University of Sydney, who led the study, describes the findings as ‘phenomenal’.
‘This is really quite conclusive information that exercise saves lives in colon cancer patients,’ she says. But she’s quick to point out that simply telling people to exercise isn’t enough.
‘We now need to implement those structured exercise programs so that every patient coming through our system is given an exercise prescription by a qualified exercise specialist.’
Why does exercise make such a difference?
The benefits of exercise for cancer patients go far beyond the physical. Regular movement helps maintain muscle mass, boosts the immune system, and reduces inflammation—all crucial factors in fighting cancer and recovering from treatment.
Exercise also helps manage the fatigue, anxiety, and depression that often accompany a cancer diagnosis.
But perhaps most importantly, exercise gives people a sense of control and purpose. For Cherri, running marathons is a way to reclaim her body and her life from cancer. It’s a statement of defiance, a declaration that she is more than her diagnosis.
What does a ‘structured exercise program’ look like?
The study’s exercise program wasn’t about running marathons or hitting the gym for hours on end. It was tailored to each individual’s abilities and needs, and supervised by qualified exercise specialists.
For some, it meant brisk walking or gentle cycling. For others, it included strength training or yoga. The key was consistency and support.
If you or someone you know is facing a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to talk to your healthcare team before starting any new exercise routine.
Many hospitals and cancer centres now offer exercise physiology services, and programs specifically designed for cancer patients are available.
A new prescription for survival
The message from Cherri’s story and the University of Sydney study is clear: exercise isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ for cancer patients—it’s a powerful tool for survival. As Professor Vardy says, it’s time for exercise to become a standard part of cancer care, right alongside chemotherapy and surgery.
For Cherri, the finish line is just the beginning. ‘If you exercise and you’re surrounded by good support, you can get better and you can last longer,’ she says. Her story is a testament to the power of movement, hope, and community.
Have you or a loved one used exercise as part of your recovery from illness? What’s your experience been like? Do you think exercise should be prescribed as part of cancer treatment? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
Also read: Australia’s shocking rise in aggressive cancer rates: Experts scramble for answers
