Consistent exercise, new research suggests can lower the risk of dying from colon cancer. Among the first to show physical activity makes the disease less deadly, the study led by researchers from the Siteman Cancer Centre at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, examined data from the American Cancer Society Prevention Study II (CPS II) involving over 150,00 men and women for arriving at the current conclusion.

Researchers compared their physical activity levels between 1982 and 1997 to determine how exercise affected colon cancer, linking the number of colon cancer diagnoses between 1998 and 2005, to the number of colon cancer deaths between 1998 and 2006.

Researchers found those who had consistently worked out for at least 10 years ran the lowest risk of dying of colon cancer, compared to those who led sedentary lives.

Colon cancer is preventable 70% of the time with healthy behaviour and regular screening. It is the leading cause of cancer related death among non-smokers in the USA.

Researchers say one can lower ones chances of death and disease recurrence, even after being diagnosed with cancer, as exercising lowers the likelihood and increases the chances of surviving colon cancer, adding to the other known benefits of regular physical activity.