Walking reduces cancer risk, says UK research study

A new study from Oxford University shows that light daily activities, especially walking, can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. The research involved over 85,000 adults in the UK and found that those who were more physically active had a 26% lower cancer risk. Participants wore wrist devices to track their daily movements. The researchers analyzed how these activities influenced the likelihood of developing various cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer. They found that walking more steps per day lowered cancer risk, regardless of pace. Specifically, taking 5,000 steps had a certain risk level, while 7,000 steps reduced that risk by 11% and 9,000 steps by 16%. Beyond 9,000 steps, the risk reduction plateaued. Researchers suggest that everyone can improve their health by including more walking in their daily routines. Simple changes can help people walk more. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther away, or walk during phone calls. Even short walks after meals can benefit digestion and blood sugar levels.