Patient Outcomes

A decade-long international study has demonstrated for the first time that a structured exercise program following colon cancer treatment reduces the risk of cancer recurrence, new cancers, and death more effectively than standard care alone. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the trial enrolled nearly 900 patients across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Canada, and Israel. Researchers found that patients who worked with personal trainers or health coaches to achieve exercise goals experienced a 28 percent lower risk of recurrent or new cancers and a 37 percent reduction in risk of death over eight years, compared with patients who received only a healthy lifestyle booklet.

A newly published study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed a promising diagnostic tool capable of accurately predicting which seemingly healed diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are at high risk of reopening. By measuring trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)—an indicator of skin barrier function—researchers found that wounds with elevated TEWL were substantially more likely to recur. The results, which will be published in the journal Diabetes Care, suggest that incorporating TEWL measurements into standard wound-care protocols could greatly enhance clinicians’ ability to ensure truly complete wound closure and reduce life-long risks associated with DFUs, including lower-limb amputations and premature mortality.

Scientists have identified a specific gut microbiota profile that can help forecast future heart attacks and major cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, provide promising evidence that the gut microbiome may become a valuable tool in personalizing treatment and improving preventive strategies in cardiovascular care.

A new study out of Sweden has found that initiating combination cholesterol-lowering therapy early after a heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events and death. The findings, published by researchers at Lund University and based on data from over 36,000 patients, challenge existing global treatment guidelines and could prompt a shift in how post-heart attack care is delivered.

A groundbreaking study by researchers at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, has unveiled a previously unknown mechanism linking Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection to the worsening of ulcerative colitis (UC). Published in Precision Clinical Medicine on January 21, 2025 (DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbaf002), the research reveals that EBV can trigger inflammatory cell death—known as pyroptosis—in macrophages, a discovery that may pave the way for new, targeted treatments for UC.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and early detection and treatment have significantly boosted survival rates. With five-year survival at 91% and ten-year survival at 85%, millions of women are now living as breast cancer survivors. However, new research published in Aging reveals that surviving breast cancer comes with a hidden cost: accelerated biological aging. This study, which introduces the concept of Phenotypic Age Acceleration (PAA), examines how both the characteristics of the tumor and the treatments administered may contribute to an increased rate of aging among survivors.

In a breakthrough study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology on 19 February 2025, Japanese researchers have uncovered compelling evidence that even modest exercise habits prior to hospitalization are linked to better outcomes for older patients with heart failure. As heart failure continues to pose a major health threat—especially for ageing populations—this study offers fresh insights into how regular physical activity can improve survival rates and enhance quality of life after discharge.