AROUND a third of Brits aren’t aware that regular exercise can slash the risk of developing bowel cancer, research suggests.
Regular exercise has long been lauded as a crucial way to not only help stave off cancer, but also lower the chances of it spreading.
Under NHS guidance, adults should do at least 150 minutes of exercise per week Credit: Getty
One participant, Brenda Etchells from Leeds, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2026 aged 57 Credit: John Steel
Staying physically active – taking part in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise such as fast walking, cycling or swimming every week – is believed to lower the risk of bowel cancer by around 20 per cent.
But, a poll of 2,155 adults in the UK, found that just under a third (32 per cent) were not aware of this.
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According to the survey, which was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Bowel Cancer UK, just six in 10 adults are reaching this target.
It comes as the charity has launched its Walk 60 Miles in October challenge, encouraging people to get active every day next month.
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One participant, Brenda Etchells from Leeds, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2026 aged 57.
Brenda underwent surgery in February and set herself the goal of walking 15,000 steps by the end of April as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, having been fit and active before her diagnosis.
She ended up averaging 15,000 steps a day across the month and raising an impressive £1,580 for the charity.
She is now back in the gym and taking regular runs in her local park.
“Being active doesn’t mean lifting weights, racing marathons, or even walking as much as I did” Brenda said.
“It can be as easy as a quick two-mile walk around your local park every day.
“I’m delighted to support the Walk 60 Miles in October challenge and encourage everyone to sign up to the challenge.”
Amanda Delew, Interim Director of Fundraising at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and its second biggest cancer killer.
“One of the ways we can reduce our risk of developing bowel cancer is by taking part in regular exercise.
“This October, we’re encouraging people to walk just two miles every day to raise vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK.
“Every pound raised will help us continue to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, fund vital research, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.
“Every mile that our supporters walk this October will bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.”
Previous research has suggested that exercise can trigger the release of chemicals in the blood that help the immune system hunt and destroy cancer cells.
Studies have also found that regular exercise reduces levels of inflammatory proteins in the body that are known to fuel the development of tumours.
Jattvibe Columnist Dame Deborah James was diagnosed in 2016 at the age of just 35, after initially being told her symptoms were likely due to IBS or stress Credit: Stewart Williams
Every year, 44,000 Britons are told they have bowel cancer.
While overall rates are stable, or have declined slightly in older age groups, cases among younger adults, or under-50s, are rising.
Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses of the disease have shot up by 80 per cent across the globe.
Experts have linked the alarming trend to modern diets, chemical exposure and lifestyles, but more research is still vital.
Jattvibe Columnist Dame Deborah James was diagnosed in 2016 at the age of just 35, after initially being told her symptoms were likely due to IBS or stress.
The podcaster and campaigner, who used her social media profile ‘Bowel Babe’ to spread awareness of the disease, died aged just 40, in 2022.
Symptoms often include changes in bowel movements such as consistent and new diarrhoea or constipation, needing or feeling the need to poo more or less frequently and blood in the stool.
Stomach pain, a lump in the stomach, bloating, unexpected weight-loss and fatigue are among other signs.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their GP for advice.
Last year, groundbreaking research also discovered that exercise could work just as effectively as a drug to slash the risk of dying from bowel cancer.
In a world-first trial spanning six nations, including the UK, Canada and Australia, hundreds of patients – who had already had treatment for the disease – saw their risk of death cut by more than a third just by taking up an exercise programme.
Volunteers completed around two and a half hours of physical activity per week, on average, amounting to just 21 minutes per day.
After five years, those exercising every day were 28 per cent less likely to have died or see their cancer grow or return.
By eight years, their risk of dying was 37 per cent lower – for every 14 participants, exercise prevented one from dying.
At the time, scientists said the findings, which were presented the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, suggested that exercise was “better than a drug because it doesn’t involve side effects”.
