Almost 6 in 10 adults in NI unaware that exercise can reduce bowel cancer risk

Wednesday, 25 April 2018 13:13

By Grainne Connolly @grainne555

by Gráinne Connolly

A YouGov poll commissioned by Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer reveals on average almost six in ten adults living in Northern Ireland (59%) are not aware that being physically active could reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

Just by working out for 30 minutes a day, at least five times a week can bring down the chances of being diagnosed with the condition as much as 12%.

Every year more than 1,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer.

It's now the third most common cancer in Northern Ireland and the second biggest killer in the region.

The following question was put to local people across the different council areas in Northern Ireland:

Being physically active (e.g. 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling, fast walking, etc.) for 30 minutes a day at least five times a week could help to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Before taking this survey, had you heard this?

The following table is a breakdown of it's findings:

MTB_Q1. Please read the information below carefully, before answering the question...Being physically active (e.g. 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling, fast walking, etc.) for 30 minutes a day at least five times a week could help to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Before taking this survey, had you heard this?	Antrim and Newtownabbey	Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon	Belfast	Causeway Coast and Glens	Derry and Strabane	Fermanagh and Omagh	Lisburn and Castlereagh	Mid and East Antrim	Mid Ulster	Newry, Mourne and Down	North Down and Ards
Unweighted base	45	57	108	44	37	21	45	42	21	33	51
Base: All Northern Irish Adults	40	55	81	40	40	30	50	40	35	45	45
Yes, I had	47%	32%	38%	32%	42%	56%	40%	37%	14%	60%	52%
No, I had not	53%	68%	62%	68%	58%	44%	60%	63%	86%	40%	48%

Following these results, Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer UK have launched a campaign 'Step up to 30' that encourages people in Northern Ireland to take part in 30 minutes of exercise every day in June.

The idea is to sign up and take part, whilst also raising funds for the two charities; which can be carried out through the following link:

bowelcanceruk.org.uk/stepupfor30