You may be aware that March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the third most common diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, almost 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed and approximately 50,000 people died from the disease last year. Despite these statistics, unlike some cancers, colorectal cancer is highly preventable and can be detected early through proper screening. And what do you think one of the most important prevention tools is? That’s right—physical activity.

In 2009, a review published in the British Journal of Cancer combined the data from 52 published studies on physical activity and colon cancer1. It was determined that the most physically active participants were 24% less likely than the least active to develop colon cancer. And the good news is this pattern held true for both lifestyle and structured physical activity.

This may not be surprising to some as regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. But what many may not realize is that for those diagnosed with colon cancer, regular physical activity may decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and death2,3. In the long running Nurse’s Health Study, women who engaged in moderate physical activity (i.e. brisk walking) six days per week for about an hour per day reduced their risk of colon cancer-related death by 61% and 57% for all causes of mortality, when compared with women who rarely exercised2. And maybe even more remarkable was that even if the women began exercising after their diagnosis, they reduced their risk of colon cancer-related death by 52%. So the expression “it’s never too late to start” definitely applies here. Another study, this time with both men and women who had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, showed similar results3. With about six hours per week of walking, just like the previous study, there was a 49% decrease in the risk of getting colon cancer again.

So once again, the evidence shows the amazing power of physical activity. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity on 5 or more days of the week. Moderate or vigorous activity for at least 45 minutes on 5 or more days of the week may lower your risk for colorectal cancer even more. And as a reminder, screening is the most powerful tool for preventing colon cancer.

To learn more about colon cancer visit the American Cancer Society.

1KY Wolin et al. Physical activity and colon cancer prevention: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Cancer. 2009; 100(4): 611-616.

2Meyerhardt JA, Giovannucci EL, Holmes MD, et al. Physical activity and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2006; 24(22):3527–3534.

3Meyerhardt JA, Heseltine D, Niedzwiecki D, et al. Impact of physical activity on cancer recurrence and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: findings from CALGB 89803. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2006 Aug 1; 24(22): 3517-8.