Colon Cancer and Exercise

The role of exercise in cancer is the subject of many studies and considerable debate at present. There have been at least 30 studies have examined the association between physical activity and developing colon cancer.

At least 29 studies have focused on the relationship between colon cancer and exercise. These studies were conducted in diverse population groups in various countries including China, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. Of these, 14 reported a significant relationship between exercise and colon cancer. Specifically, increase in activity led towards a decrease in colon cancer risk. Four of the studies showed no relationship.

Just looking at a couple of the studies highlights some interesting observations. Researchers looked at 17,000 people, aged 30-79 years who were followed prospectively for the occurrence of colon cancer. They found that physical activity based on self-reported stair climbing, walking and sports play was not associated with a change in risk for colon cancer. On the other hand, highly active individuals had half the incidence of those that were less active. The main bottom line is that in this large study, vigorous activity was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of developing colon cancer.

Another study looked at colon cancer risks among Chinese men and women living both in the People's Republic of China, and the Western United States. This study looked at exercise and diet as risk factors for colon cancer. The findings indicate that the group that spent the most time sitting (reflecting sedentary lifestyles and occupations) had the highest incidence of colon cancer. Other interesting findings were that a diet high in saturated fat was also a risk factor, and that those who were most sedentary and consumed the most saturated fat had a four fold higher incidence of colon cancer than those who were the least sedentary and consumed the least saturated fat.