Being more active twice a day could significantly reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer, according to researchers. A new study found that being active at two key times in the day reduces the chance of contracting the disease by 11%.
Researchers believe that highlighting set times when physical activity is “most beneficial” could lead to targeted cancer prevention strategies. The research utilised data from the UK Biobank, assessing 86,252 individuals aged between 42 and 79 who tracked their physical activity using a wrist-worn device known as an accelerometer.
Over a follow-up period of 5.3 years, some 529 cases of bowel cancer were recorded. Scientists identified four activity patterns and discovered that two daily peaks in activity, around 8am and 6pm, were “associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk, beyond the benefits of overall physical activity”.
Bowel cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, can develop anywhere in the large bowel, including the colon and rectum. It is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 44,000 people diagnosed each year.
According to Cancer Research UK, it results in around 16,800 deaths every year. That’s 46 every day, making it the second most common cause of cancer death.
Professor Dr Michael Leitzmann, chairman of the department of epidemiology and preventive medicine at the University of Regensburg in Germany, led the study that has been published in BMC Medicine. He shared: “Our study highlights that not only is physical activity important for reducing colorectal cancer risk, but the timing of peak activity throughout the day could play a crucial role.”
In an interesting twist, it appears that certain times – notably early morning and late evening – could be key to maximizing the cancer-preventive benefits of exercise.
Prof Dr Leitzmann added, “By identifying specific times – early morning and late day – when physical activity is most beneficial, our findings open new avenues for targeted prevention strategies. If confirmed by future research, this could provide a simple yet impactful way for individuals to further reduce their cancer risk through the timing of their exercise.”
Dr Helen Croker, who serves as the assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, which sponsored the study, pointed out: “Being physically active is one of our cancer prevention recommendations, and we know that this cuts cancer risk. These intriguing new findings offer potential for developing more specific recommendations, including patterns and timing of physical activity, for reducing cancer risk.”