Exercise helps prevent polyps growing in your bowel

Exercise helps to reduce your risk of bowel cancer; researchers have known that for some time. Now it has become clear that regular exercise helps to prevent polyps from growing in your colon. Polyps can be a forerunner to bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in western societies and a great number of people die from it every day. Bowel cancer often spreads quickly because the lining of the intestines is so thin, therefore tumours tend to grow through it quite quickly. The liver is in very close proximity to the intestines, therefore tumours often spread there first. Earlier studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce the risk of colon cancer by up to 25 percent.

New research that analysed 20 former studies has focused on colon adenomas; these are precancerous polyps that get removed by a doctor during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. If these polyps are allowed to remain, there is a risk they will change into cancerous tumours. The research showed that regular physical activity was associated with a 16 percent reduction in the development of colon polyps and a 30 percent reduction in the risk of developing polyps that are large and advanced (and are likely to become cancerous).

According to one of the researchers, Dr Wolin, exercise reduces the risk of cancer because it:
• Boosts the immune system
• Reduces inflammation in the bowel
• Reduces insulin levels

Exercise really is potent medicine when it comes to protecting you against cancer.

How much exercise is enough? The study’s authors recommend at least half an hour of moderate exercise each day.

Other ways of reducing your risk of bowel cancer

• Make sure you have adequate blood levels of vitamin D. There is a strong relationship between vitamin D insufficiency and bowel cancer.
• Keep your blood insulin level low by reducing your intake of sugar, grains, cereals, carbohydrate rich foods and alcohol.
• Maintain regular bowel habits. You should be having a bowel movement at least once a day.
• Make sure you have plenty of good bugs in your intestines by taking a good quality probiotic.
• Take a selenium supplement. It is virtually impossible to get enough of this vital mineral through food. Selenium helps to protect your DNA from damage.

Source: Br J Cancer 2011;104:882-885