Over a Third of Adults in Yorkshire Unaware That Regular Exercise Reduces Bowel Cancer Risk

Over a third of adults in Yorkshire and the Humber (34%) don’t know that regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer, a YouGov poll commissioned by Bowel Cancer UK has found. 

Staying physically active – taking part in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise such as fast walking, cycling or swimming every week – can lower your risk of bowel cancer by around 20%.

However, only around six in 10 adults are reaching this target on average, leaving too many people less active than they could be. 

Bowel Cancer UK has shared the findings of the poll as it launches its latest fundraising challenge, Walk 60 Miles in October, which encourages people to get active every day in October to raise vital funds for the charity.  

The Walk 60 Miles in October challenge is being supported by Brenda Etchells from Leeds, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2026 aged 57.

Brenda underwent surgery in February and set herself the goal of walking 15,000 steps by the end of April as part of Bowel Cancer UK’s ActiveApril challenge, having been fit and active before her diagnosis.

She ended up averaging 15,000 steps a day across the month and raising an impressive £1,580 for the charity. She is now back in the gym and doing park runs.

“Being active doesn't mean lifting weights, racing marathons, or even walking as much as I did!” Brenda said.

“It can be as easy as a quick two-mile walk around your local park every day.

“Bowel Cancer UK's Walk 60 Miles in October challenge is an amazing way to start exercising this autumn, improve your physical and mental health, and have fun. You can do it by yourself, with your family, as part of a team, or even with your pets if you have them! It's a fantastic way to raise money for a great cause too.

“I’m delighted to support the Walk 60 Miles in October challenge and encourage everyone to sign up to the challenge.”

Amanda Delew, Interim Director of Fundraising at Bowel Cancer UK, said:

“Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and its second biggest cancer killer. One of the ways we can reduce our risk of developing bowel cancer is by taking part in regular exercise.  

“This October, we’re encouraging people to walk just two miles every day to raise vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK. Every pound raised will help us continue to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, fund vital research, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.       

“Every mile that our supporters walk this October will bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.”

For more information about bowel cancer and to sign up to Walk 60 Miles in October, please visit Bowel Cancer UK’s website: bowelcanceruk.org.uk.     

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting both men and women. Around 48,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.  

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:                

• Bleeding from your bottom.                
• Blood in your poo.                
• A change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go.                
• Losing weight but you’re not sure why.                
• Feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why.                
• A pain or lump in your tummy.