Bowel cancer rates could be cut by a quarter by improving lifestyles, according to a major new analysis published today.
Diet, exercise, not smoking and restricting alcohol all play their part in protecting men and women against the disease, according to the Danish researchers.
The disease is the second most common killer cancer in Britain – with more than 16,000 deaths a year.
The Danish researchers studied more than 55,000 people in their 50s and 60s for a ten year period. Some 678 people were diagnosed with the disease during the period.
Reporting in the British Medical Journal, they say that "even modest differences" in lifestyle can have a big impact on risk of the disease.
During their research they tested the impact of five healthy lifestyle recommendations from the World Health Organisation, the World Cancer Research Fund and a Scandinavian guideline, the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations.
The advice includes physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day and keeping the waist circumference below 88cm – 34 inches – for women and 102 cm – 40 inches – for men.
Researcher Anne Tjønneland, of the Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark, reports: "Our study reveals the useful public health message that even modest differences in lifestyle might have a substantial impact on colorectal cancer risk and emphasises the importance of continuing vigorous efforts to convince people to follow the lifestyle recommendations."
Leave a Reply