Exercise for Gut Microbiome in Patients With Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: The COURAGE Trial
This research study is a randomized controlled trial that will observe changes in microbiome activity, changes in chemotherapy toxicity, and any changes in treatment outcomes between two groups of participants undergoing chemotherapy with either early-stage or metastatic colorectal cancer. The names of the study groups involved in this study are: * Exercise * Waitlist Control
• Patient diagnosed with early-stage or metastatic colon or rectal cancer
• Age at diagnosis 18-50 years; due to the specificity of the study question those outside the age bracket will not be included
• No plans for major surgical intervention at the time of recruitment for a minimum of 12 weeks (i.e. study period; placement of port a cath is allowed)
• No plans for radiation therapy at the time of recruitment for a minimum of 12 weeks
• On or planning chemotherapy
• Participate in less than or equal to 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week
• Medical clearance to perform exercise intervention and testing by their treating oncologist
• No uncontrolled medical conditions that could be exacerbated with exercise
• Ability to communicate and complete written forms in English
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign informed consent prior to any study-related procedures
• Willing to travel to DFCI for necessary data collection