Exact time to be active to slash risk of cancer that kills 44,000 every year

Being more active twice a day may significantly decrease the risk of developing bowel cancer, researchers have found. According to a new study, being active at two specific times during the day can reduce the chances of contracting the disease by 11%. Scientists believe that identifying set times for physical activity could lead to targeted cancer prevention strategies. The research, based on data from the UK Biobank and involving 86,252 individuals aged between 42 and 79, tracked their physical activity using a wrist-worn device. Over a 5.3-year follow-up period, 529 cases of bowel cancer were recorded. The study revealed that being active around 8am and 6pm, showing two daily peaks in activity, was linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer beyond overall physical activity benefits.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 44,000 new cases diagnosed each year and resulting in around 16,800 deaths annually. Professor Dr Michael Leitzmann from the University of Regensburg in Germany, who led the study published in BMC Medicine, highlighted the importance of timing in physical activity for reducing colorectal cancer risk. He emphasised that certain times, particularly early morning and late evening, could be crucial for maximising the cancer-preventive effects of exercise. Dr Helen Croker, the assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, sponsored the study, and noted that physical activity is a key recommendation for cancer prevention, and these new findings offer potential for developing more specific recommendations on the patterns and timing of physical activity to reduce cancer risk.

In summary, this research sheds light on the significance of timing in physical activity for reducing the risk of bowel cancer. By identifying specific times where physical activity is most beneficial, individuals could potentially decrease their cancer risk through targeted exercise timing strategies. Understanding the role of timing in physical activity could pave the way for more tailored cancer prevention recommendations and initiatives in the future.