Almost a third of adults in the North East unaware that regular exercise reduces bowel cancer risk

Almost a third of adults in the North East (31%) 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 taking regular runs in her local park.

“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.

*Participants were asked: “Which, if any, of the following do you believe can help reduce a person's risk of developing bowel cancer? (Please select all that apply)”. Of those participants living in the North East, 69% selected “Doing regular physical activity / exercise”. 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2155 adults (of which 98 were from the North East). Fieldwork was undertaken between 2nd - 3rd February 2026.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). 

**Newcastle University (link to research) 

***UK Government (link to research)