Adopting a Healthier Lifestyle Post-Bowel Screening Reduces Cancer Risk

Recent research indicates that making positive lifestyle changes after a bowel screening can significantly decrease the risk of developing bowel cancer and other chronic diseases. Norway experiences the highest incidence of bowel cancer globally, but studies reveal that nearly half of these cases could be prevented through healthier habits such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol intake. Traditionally, these factors have been viewed as lifelong influences, but new insights suggest that the timing around bowel screening offers a unique opportunity for intervention.

A collaborative study with Harvard researchers analyzed data from three large American cohorts, focusing on individuals who underwent colonoscopy screening. Participants completed lifestyle assessments before and after their screening, which allowed researchers to quantify lifestyle changes using a score ranging from 1 (least healthy) to 5 (most healthy). The study monitored these individuals over up to 30 years, tracking bowel cancer diagnoses and other major chronic illnesses.

Findings showed that each point increase in an individual’s lifestyle score during follow-up was associated with a 14% reduction in bowel cancer risk and an 11% decrease in other chronic disease risks. Notably, improvements in lifestyle—such as increased physical activity, weight loss, or reduced alcohol consumption—contributed to these protective effects.

Conversely, individuals whose lifestyle scores worsened by two or more points faced a 70% higher risk of bowel cancer and a 21% higher chance of developing other chronic diseases, even among those who had initially undergone screening that reduced their baseline risk.

Building on these findings, Norwegian researchers are preparing to launch a study utilizing the national bowel screening program. This project will test different levels of follow-up and support to promote healthy lifestyle habits over two years, aiming to assess the long-term impact on cancer incidence and mortality.

Bowel cancer remains a significant health concern, with about 5,000 cases diagnosed annually in Norway. The country's national screening program encourages individuals aged 55 and older to test for blood in their stool every two years, aiming for early detection of precancerous conditions and bowel cancer.

Overall, the study underscores the importance of lifestyle modifications as an effective tool in reducing the risk of bowel cancer and highlights the critical window of opportunity afforded by screening programs to encourage healthier behaviors.