Exercise can improve survival rates in colon cancer patients, according to a new study by the New England Journal of Medicine. Another study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology suggests that melanoma patients on high-fiber diets responded better to treatments.

Two new studies suggest that lifestyle interventions such as exercise and dietary changes may significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that colon cancer patients who engaged in a structured exercise program with a trainer had a 37% lower risk of death and a reduced likelihood of cancer recurrence over eight years, compared to those who did not participate in the program. 

Another study, conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, showed that melanoma patients who followed a high-fiber diet responded better to immunotherapy treatments, with 77% showing a positive response compared to 29% in the control group. The research points to the influence of the gut microbiome, particularly fiber-digesting bacteria, in enhancing treatment responses. While these findings do not replace standard treatments, they suggest that integrating exercise and dietary support could be beneficial for cancer patients.

Studies: Exercise, good diet may improve cancer patient outcomes

Exercise could play a key role in the treatment of certain cancers. A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine found colon cancer patients who took part in an exercise program with a trainer had a 37% lower risk of death after eight years. Their cancer was also less likely to come back. And in another trial, it compared high-fiber and lower-fiber diets in melanoma patients starting immunotherapy. Around 77% of those on the high-fiber diet responded to their treatment compared to just 29% in a control group. Dr. Jennifer McQuaid was a senior researcher on that melanoma trial. She's an assistant professor of melanoma medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Good morning, doctor. Thanks for being with us and joining us to talk about this. Help us understand that link between what people eat, what they might be eating right now, and cancer. Sure, absolutely. So we've known for years that a healthy diet can dramatically decrease the risk of many cancers. However, the question has always been, what about patients that have cancer? Could improving their lifestyle, diet, or exercise actually synergize with their treatment and help improve outcomes? And this link really comes for the high-fiber diet in terms of the gut microbiome. So those trillions of bacteria that live on us and in us, the microbiome has previously been shown to actually influence response to immunotherapy. And the bacteria that are associated with improved response are actually those that help us break down fiber, which we otherwise cannot digest. So we had shown that those patients that were habitually consuming a high-fiber diet tended to have improved response to immunotherapy, and that if we manipulate fiber in mice, that we can improve response to immunotherapy. And so what we did is we actually conducted what's called a controlled feeding study, where we actually gave patients from our metabolic kitchen every single snack and meal that went into their mouth for up to 10 months, sorry, 10 weeks, as they were starting immunotherapy. And this is a small study. So this is only 43 patients, randomized to either the high-fiber or the controlled diet. But we saw not just the changes in the microbiome and the metabolome, but a marked improvement in the rate of tumor shrinkage in those that receive the high-fiber diet. Wow, yet another plus in the column of having a high-fiber diet. Looking at the study on exercise and colon cancer treatment now, I'm wondering what stands out to you most about those findings. I mean, so that study, I have to just congratulate the investigators. So this is 889 patients across 50 centers. This is a phase three randomized study. So they basically did a structured exercise intervention. This is in patients that had had colorectal cancer, finished their chemotherapy, and then were randomized to either the structured exercise intervention versus just given handouts on a healthy lifestyle. And at eight-year follow-up, they actually see a 28% decrease in the risk of cancer recurrence and a 37% decreased risk in death. So this is, I mean, this is comparable to what we might see for a new drug that would get approval. And this absolutely means that we need, you know, the resources and insurance coverage and, you know, health coaches to be able to offer this to patients. Really encouraging findings. We only have a few seconds left with you, but I'm wondering if these findings could impact the way cancers are treated perhaps. Well, so again, this is, you know, it doesn't take the place of the chemotherapy or of the immunotherapy, but it should absolutely impact the way that we work with patients to help give them tools to help improve their outcomes. So useful, this information. I hope folks look into your study and the other study as well. Dr. Jennifer McQuaid, we appreciate you joining us. Absolutely.

Officials in the U.S. state of Texas say at least 13 people have died in overnight flash floods after torrential rains triggered an overflow of the Guadalupe River. Nearly 20 children attending a summer camp in the south-central area are missing.

Kerr County

Deadly Texas floods: Search efforts underway for missing children

Türkiye has been battling wildfires for more than a week, with its western province of Izmir among the hardest hit. Thousands have been forced to flee as flames threaten homes and villages.

Ödemiş

Turkiye wildfires: At least two dead as fires burn for eighth day

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

Jerusalem

Hamas says it is  'positive' about latest ceasefire proposal

President Trump brought pomp and circumstance to his signing of the "big, beautiful bill" on Friday, with an Independence Day ceremony at the White House that included a B-2 bomber flyover.

Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump signs "big, beautiful bill" as tariff deadline looms

Heavy rainfall in central Texas caused the Guadalupe River to overflow and unleash a torrent of water. The bodies of at least 13 children and adults have been recovered and more than 20 girls are missing from a sleepaway camp.

Floods kill at least 13 in Texas, over 20 missing from summer camp

The talk comes a day after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine, Iran and other issues in a call the Kremlin described as "frank and constructive."

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy, Trump agree on joint defense efforts in phone call

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

Trump set to sign "big, beautiful bill"

More than 80 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Thursday (July 3), according to health officials, as Israel intensified its strikes, hitting a school-turned-displacement facility. CNN’s Paula Hancocks looks at the damage and humanitarian toll.

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.