Exercise can cut colon cancer death risk, study finds

A new study from the US has demonstrated that taking consistent levels of exercise can help to reduce the risk of death from colon cancer.

The Siteman Cancer Center at the Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis have examined data relating to more than 150,000 men and women to establish a link between cancer rates and physical activity levels.

It was found that those who had exercised consistently for at least ten years had the lowest risk of colon cancer death.

According to the researchers, this study is among the first to demonstrate the positive effect exercise can have against the disease, with lead author Kathleen Wolin noting that physical activity can also be beneficial after the diagnosis has already been made.

"It's never too late to start exercising, but it's also never too early to start being active," she added.

According to the World Health Organization, colon cancer is the third most deadly form of the disease globally, causing an average of 639,000 deaths per year.