Exercise is one of the most commonly recommended lifestyle changes for supporting your overall health and reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions.
Researchers have found that people who regularly exercise are up to
In particular, regular exercise between ages 30 and 50 years is most commonly associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer. But exercise at any age is beneficial for disease prevention.
Researchers continue to investigate the potential role of exercise in preventing colon cancer, and they’ve identified several biological mechanisms in which it might be beneficial. These include:
- regulating certain hormones, such as insulin and sex hormones
- reducing systemic inflammation
- regulating immune function, gut health, and gut transit time
- inducing the death of harmful cells (apoptosis)
- inhibiting the growth of new cancer cells (cell proliferation) and the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
Yes, some research suggests that regular exercise after colon cancer treatment may help prevent cancer from returning and increase a person’s life expectancy.
A 2025 study in people who had undergone chemotherapy for colon cancer compared the effects of following an exercise program or receiving health education materials for 3 years following treatment completion.
The researchers found that participants in the exercise group were more likely to be alive 8 years after treatment compared to those who received only health education materials. However, those in the exercise group also had a higher risk of developing injuries, possibly due to being more active.
More research is needed to fully understand how exercise could help prevent colon cancer from returning, but in general, exercise is great for supporting overall health.
Healthcare organizations recommend that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise weekly and two full-body resistance training sessions.
Some research suggests that this can help reduce the risk of colon cancer by around 8%.
However, engaging in more weekly activity may be even more beneficial for colon cancer prevention. For instance, 300 minutes of moderate intensity activity can help reduce the risk by up to 14%.
If you’re unsure about how to incorporate more activity into your weekly routine, check out Healthline’s Fit It In video series. Each 22-minute workout is tailored to a specific population, muscle group, exercise type, or level of experience.
A healthcare professional or a personal trainer can also develop an exercise program tailored to your needs.