A high level of physical activity does not protect women from colon cancer

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Women who take a lot of exercise don't appear to have a lowered risk of colon cancer.
Previous studies have suggested that exercise can protect against colon cancer, although the effect appears to be stronger among men than women. However, new results seem to argue against the benefits of exercise in this context.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, have looked at data from over 31,000 women, asking them about their level of physical activity. During follow up, 243 women in the group developed colon cancer. The level of physical activity seemed to have no bearing on the risk of getting the disease. This was true regardless of menopausal status, hormone and aspirin use, age, weight, and type of cancer.

The researchers think that there may be a lack of precision in the way physical activity was assessed here. Further work is needed, perhaps looking at different types of exercise and whether they have an impact on the risk of colon cancer.

Source
International Journal of Cancer online 17th February 2006