Danish researchers have announced that up to 23% of colorectal cancers can be prevented by following 5 simple lifestyle rules: exercise; maintain a good diet; drink moderately; do not smoke; and maintain a healthy weight.

Dr. Anne Tjonneland of the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology at the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen maintains that adhering to these rules often only require a modern change in lifestyle habits. The specifics of the recommendations are: at least 30 minutes of exercise per day; no more than 7 drinks per week for women and 14 for men; maintaining a waist size of no more than 34.6 inches for women and 40.1 for men; and consuming generous amounts of fiber, more than 6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and reducing red and processed meat intake.

Dr. Tjonneland and her team examined data from and administered questionnaires to people aged 50-64, and followed up on them after 10 years. They found that, for each lifestyle recommendation that participants followed, there was a corresponding reduction of 13% in colorectal cancer.

Dr. Floriano Marchetti of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami said: “This is not like people are asked to be on a strictly diet or become triathletes”.

“You modify something and you already have a return with minimal investment. If you modify more, you have a better return.” Given the prevalence of colorectal cancer, many hope that these recommendations will take root.