A new study reveals that consistent exercise is linked to a lower risk of dying from colon cancer. It is a US study from the Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and is one of the first to show that exercise can make colon cancer less deadly.
The researchers followed more than 150,000 people between 1982 and 2006. They found that those who exercised consistently for at least 10 years, (I know that sounds a lot, but if you make it part of your routine it just happens!) had the lowest risk of colon cancer death than people who led sedentary lifestyles.
The researchers were quick to point out that, despite that 10-year requirement, it’s never too late to start exercising. They also pointed out a few things we already know about regular exercise — it reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other cancers.
If you don’t like to go to the gym it doesn’t matter, even a 30-minute daily walk can dramatically reduce your risk of those diseases. Exercise gives you a great mental boost as well – all those endorphins!
So put those computers away for an hour and get walking, running, cycling, playing sport or down to that gym as you have always promised yourself.
The other important thing to look at with colon cancer is your diet. Fibre is vital especially the fibre you get from your fruit and vegetables. Add lots of green vegetables to your meals, organic where possible, because they will make you more alkaline, and cancer doesn’t grow so well in an alkaline medium. Limit your red meat, eat more fish and chicken, once again organic where possible. Prevention is better than cure, but if it’s already there, early detection can save your life. If you feel any symptoms or irregularities, you may want to undergo a colon cancer screening at once.