Clinical Research Directory

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Completely resected histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon * High-risk stage II disease, including one of the following: * T4 lesions * Less than 12 sampled lymph nodes * Poorly differentiated histology * Stage III disease, defined as having at least one pathologically confirmed positive lymph node or one pathologically confirmed positive tumour deposit. * Synchronous primary colon cancer allowed * Adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer with a 5-fluorouracil- based regimen received with an intent to provide a complete course of treatment. While one current standard is 24 weeks of treatment, patients who are pre-planned to receive a shorter duration of chemotherapy, including as part of a research study will also be permitted. The actual treatment received may be less than 24 weeks; participants must have received a minimum of one treatment cycle. * Chemotherapy must have been completed (i.e. last dose received) a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 180 days prior to registration. * Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ≤ 5 μg/L * Current physical activity levels do not meet the recommended guidelines (≥ 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous or ≥ 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity/week) as calculated using the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ) * Completion of chest x-ray or CT, and CT, MRI or ultrasound of abdomen within 60 days of registration; these imaging tests must not show evidence of metastatic or locally-recurrent colon cancer. * Complete one of the following: (a) at least 2 stages of the submaximal exercise test with an acceptable heart rate and blood pressure response as defined in Appendix XII or (b) the 6 minute walk test with an acceptable heart rate and blood pressure response * No rectal cancer PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-1 * Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,000/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Hemoglobin ≥ 100 g/L * Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase \< 2.5 times ULN * ALT \< 2 times ULN * Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 3 years * Able (i.e., sufficiently fluent) and willing to effectively communicate with the physical activity consultant affiliated with the originating cancer center * Able (i.e., sufficiently fluent in English or French) and willing to complete the patient-reported outcome questionnaires, social determinants of exercise measurement, health economics, and physical activity questionnaires and logs * Able to complete the baseline exercise test * No significant comorbid conditions precluding participation in a physical activity program as determined by the investigator * Likely to participate in a physical activity program, as assessed by the investigator * No history of other malignancies, except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer, curatively treated in situ cancer of the cervix, other solid tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma curatively treated with no evidence of disease for \> 5 years PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy as a component of treatment for primary tumor * No concurrent treatment with additional chemotherapy or radiation * No concurrent treatment with any medications deemed by the investigator as likely to preclude participation in a physical activity program * No concurrent anticancer treatment including chemotherapy, biological, or targeted agents