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Physical fitness and clinically assessed disease burden in long-term childhood cancer survivors-The SURfit study

  • 0Department of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Cancer +

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August 20, 2025

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August 20, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Childhood cancer survivors face many health issues. Higher physical fitness is linked to fewer adverse outcomes, highlighting the importance of exercise for long-term health in survivors.

Area Of Science

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Survivorship Research

Background

  • Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) experience significant disease burden, necessitating tailored care strategies.
  • Physical fitness is a key predictor of health and mortality, potentially mitigating disease burden in CCS.
  • This study aimed to quantify adverse health outcomes in long-term CCS and examine the role of physical fitness.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To describe the prevalence and types of clinically ascertained adverse health outcomes in long-term childhood cancer survivors.
  • To investigate the association between various measures of physical fitness and the burden of adverse health outcomes in this population.

Main Methods

  • Utilized baseline data from the SURfit randomized controlled physical activity trial.
  • Included 163 childhood cancer survivors diagnosed before age 16, enrolled at age 16+, and at least 5 years post-diagnosis.
  • Assessed health outcomes using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and physical fitness via cardiopulmonary-exercise-test (CPET), hand-grip strength, and 1-minute sit-to-stand test (STS).
  • Employed multivariable Poisson regression models to analyze the association between fitness and health outcomes.

Main Results

  • Participants (mean age 30.5 years, 22.9 years post-diagnosis) reported 1170 adverse health outcomes, with 99% experiencing at least one.
  • Musculoskeletal disorders were the most prevalent adverse outcome, affecting 80% of survivors.
  • Higher physical fitness, measured by CPET and STS, was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of adverse health outcomes (PRR < 1, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

  • Childhood cancer survivors in an exercise intervention trial exhibit a substantial burden of adverse health outcomes.
  • Increased physical fitness correlates with a reduced disease burden across all adverse outcomes for survivors.
  • Promoting fitness improvements is crucial for enhancing the long-term health and well-being of childhood cancer survivors, irrespective of their specific cancer history.

Keywords:

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