Regular exercise can reduce bowel cancer risk
Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine found that individuals who exercised regularly were 30 per cent less likely to develop large polyps most at risk of becoming cancerous.
The study itself involved the analysis of 20 previously published studies and has drawn on these findings to produce a new report which now appears in the British Journal of Cancer. After researching the existing studies, the researchers found that those who lead the least active lifestyles were those at the highest risk of developing growths.
In addition, those who regularly exercised were 16 per cent less likely to develop bowel polyps and 30 per cent less like likely to develop advanced polyps which may lead to cancer.
Dr Kathleen Wolin who lead the study, said: ‘Exercise has many benefits, including boosting the immune system, decreasing inflammation in the bowel and helping to reduce insulin levels. We hope these results will encourage more people to enjoy the many benefits of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, including a reduction in bowel cancer risk.'
Director of health information for Cancer Research UK, Sarah Hiom believes that keeping active could help to prevent thousands of cancer cases each year and hopes this study will add further weight to evidence which shows that exercise can cut the risk of bowel cancer.