It is an activity that is loved by the health -conscious, but long -distance run can increase the risk of colon cancer in young people.
A study has shown that 35 to 50 years old who regularly run marathons, rather precancere tumors develop in their colon, forerunners of the disease.
Of the 100 patients studied by scientists -based scientists, 41 percent turned out to have at least one adenoma – a benign tumor that could develop into the cancer.
Fifteen percent had advanced adenomas or more advanced growths. Of these people, more than half reported to suffer from rectal bleeding, a warning signal of cancer.
Dr. Timothy Cannon, the medical oncologist who led the investigation, told DailyMail.com that the results were higher than what doctors would expect in the general population and had further research.
He said that all long -distance runners who experience warning signals of colon cancer, such as rectal bleeding, must be tested on the disease, regardless of age.
The study was observational, so it is not clear whether running from a distance increases the risk if other lifestyle factors such as diet play a role.
But Dr. Cannon suggested that it could be because running long periods ensures that blood is led from the colon to the legs, which increases the risk of cell death and harmful mutations.
In January 2025, colon cancer patient Phil Decker is shown in January 2025, depicted with a marathon with Alecia Allen. He prepared to run a marathon when he was diagnosed with four colon cancer with him
Radwah Oda never thought she could get cancer because we were in ‘excellent health’ at the time of 33. She was training five times a week
He said, “As an oncologist of colon cancer I had seen several patients die of colon cancer who were in the thirty who ran ultramarathons, which were 50 km or higher runs.
‘We did this study because we were worried that these runners distract all their blood flow to their legs during runs.
‘And [then are having] infarctions in their large intestine and lots of cell sales; The cells die and then turn around very quickly [meaning] There may be more risk of cancer that causes mutations. ‘
Infarctions are an area of death tissue caused by a loss of blood supply. When the blood flow is blocked or seriously reduced – usually by a clot, embolism or narrowed vessels – the affected tissue does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, and it dies.
It is simply the latest explanation made by scientists to explain the increase in the cases of colon cancer with those younger than 50 years old, with those who were born in the 1980s now double the risk with the diagnosis of the cancer with their parents.
It is not clear whether long distance can also be linked to a higher risk of other cancers that arise among young people, such as in the pancreas.
Many young colon cancer patients are shocked by their diagnosis and say they are young, healthy and – they thought – did everything well.
Patients include Laurie Koshers, a vegetarian who ran every day, but was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 44, and marathon runner Johnson, who was diagnosed at the age of 35.
The latest study was conducted in memory of two patients – Josh Wadlington and Spencer ‘Trigg’ Robbins – who both fought against colon cancer despite running marathons.
The research was presented on ASCO 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, the world’s largest meeting of cancer researchers.
Lee Rawlinson, who previously led marathons, heard that his grandfather had pancreatic cancer and he wears a ‘Dodgy Gen’. It is not clear whether there is a connection between long -distance rowing and other cancers with early start
Holly Shawyer, 35, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, even though he was in a top form and training for a marathon. It is not clear whether there is a connection between long -distance rowing and other cancers with early start
‘I have always been pretty health -conscious – looking at what I eat and exercise regularly. I rarely fell ill, maybe I would get a belly bug once every few years, “said Shawyer
Patients from 35 to 50 years old who were ultramarathon runners were recruited for the research.
This was defined as people who had completed at least two marathons of 50 kilometers (31 miles) or more, or five marathons of at least 42 km (26.2 miles) or longer.
People with inflammatory bowel disorders or other conditions related to colon cancer were excluded from the analysis.
In general, the participants had an average age of 42 years, 55 percent were female and they reported to run around 32 to 64 km (20 to 40 miles) every week.
Between October 2022 and December 2024, patients underwent a colonoscopy – a screening for colon cancer where a flexible tube with a small camera at the end is placed in the colon.
Dr. Cannon said they were still investigating other factors that may run the risk of developing pre-cancer-like polyps.
Preliminary results had shown that runners ate at least five energy bars and also consumed Gels – which are highly processed foods, whereby foods in this category were previously linked to a higher risk of colon cancer.
Laurie Koshers (left) was diagnosed with colon cancer after ‘doing everything well’. She is a vegetarian and would also run every day
Cases of colon cancer rise among less than 50 years, even if they fall into older age groups
Dr. Cannon added: ‘I think I would get a colonoscopy if you have blood from your stools, even if you are not yet at the age where colonoscopies have been approved – or at least I would ask your doctor for a doctor.
‘I think bleeding from the rectum in runners are rejected because it is a well -known entity, runners who are known to colitis and it is not known that it is associated with cancer, so it is often rejected by doctors.
‘But my hope is that people who run a long distance will get a colonoscopy with more consciousness.
“In our studies, most people with advanced adenomas had blood in their stools.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 154,000 Americans will be held this year by colorectal cancer, including around 20,000 under 50.
Although this is in line about two decades ago, the disease rises sharply in younger groups.
According to the latest data, early colon cancer diagnoses in the US will rise by 90 percent in people aged 20 to 34 between 2010 and 2030.
In teenagers, the rates have risen by 500 percent since the early 2000s.
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