A little housework can go a long way

SIT LESS – if you can – and move more. That’s the advice from experts after new research found a less sedentary lifestyle can significantly improve quality of life after bowel cancer.

The lives of 400 bowel cancer survivors were followed for two years to assess how sedentary behaviour and moderate to vigorous physical activity impact health-related quality of life and fatigue.

Importantly, the findings also show that even without increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity, spending less time being sedentary can still have a positive impact.

This may be particularly relevant for those survivors who may not be able to perform activities – like brisk walking or running – at moderate to vigorous intensity.

For them, replacing sedentary behaviour with things such as gentle housework or light walking may be especially important.

Moreover, the study shows that the combination of sitting less and moving more can especially improve the daily functioning of survivors after the end of cancer treatment.

About 54% of bowel cancer cases are preventable due to lifestyle factors, which include: eating too much red and processed meat, not eating enough foods containing fibre or wholegrains, being overweight or obese, not doing enough physical activity, drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco.