Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2005 May;7(3):204-13.
doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2005.00747.x.

A meta-analysis of the association of physical activity with reduced risk of colorectal cancer

A K A Samad  1 , R S Taylor, T Marshall, M A S Chapman
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of the association of physical activity with reduced risk of colorectal cancer

A K A Samad et al. Colorectal Dis. 2005 May.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity may be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The main aim of this paper is to review the available evidence for a link between exercise and large bowel cancer.

Methods: A Cochrane-type methodology was performed. Data extracted included, type of study, type of physical activity measured and the numerical results. The risk ratios (RR) of the studies have been pooled according to the type of study, type of exercise, type of cancer and sex. Pooling was undertaken using fixed effect meta-analysis. A random effect meta-analysis was used where substantial heterogeneity existed.

Result: Data from 19 cohort studies showed a statistically significant reduction in the risk of colon cancer in physically active males, RR being 0.79 (95% CI 0.72-0.87) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.68-0.91) for occupational and recreational activities, respectively. In women only recreational activities are protective against colon cancer (RR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.57-0.88). Case-control studies showed significantly reduced risks of colon cancer in both sexes irrespective of the type of activity. No protection against rectal cancer is seen in either sex.

Conclusion: There is considerable evidence that physical activity is associated with reduced risk of colon cancer in both males and females.

PubMed Disclaimer