People who lead healthy and active lifestyles are up to three times less likely to develop polyps, which can develop into bowel cancer, according to scientists from the Washington School of Medicine in St Louis, USA.
A polyp is a growth in the bowel, which although not cancerous, can develop into cancer over long periods of time. Most bowel cancers develop from polyps, with approximately 1 in 4 of the UK population having one by the age of 50, and a staggering half of the population having one by the age of 70. Not all polyps turn into cancerous growths, because of the time it takes to develop.
The report pulls together 20 previous studies which look at the link between exercise and the development of large polyps. The findings identified that people who completed regular exercise were 16 per cent less likely to develop bowel polyps, and 30 per cent less likely to develop advanced polyps. The research provides evidence of the clear link between exercise and the risk of bowel cancer, however according to Professor Kathleen Wolin, one of the lead authors of the research, it is not yet clear why the link exists.
With research confirming that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the number of cases of cancer each year, Sara Hiom, Director of Health Information at Cancer Research UK says;
"We'd recommend doing at least half an hour's moderate exercise a day - such as brisk walking or anything that leaves you slightly out of breath. Getting enough physical activity will also help you keep a healthy weight, which is one of the most important ways of reducing the risk of cancer."
Apart from maintaining a healthy lifestyle it is also important that people should take part in the bowel screening programme where possible as this is an effective means of detecting polyps at an early stage.
In the UK more than 38,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, and it is currently the third most common form of cancer.
