Pat Hagan
Walking to work, scientists say, can significantly lower the risk of certain cancers, in addition to saving money and increasing physical activity.
Walking to work nearly halves the risk of liver cancer and reduces kidney cancer risk by a third.
Daily driving raises bladder cancer risk by nearly 40 per cent.
Oxford and Auckland scientists studied over 250,000 Britons, aged 40–69, to link commuting with cancer risk.
They found that 14 per cent of volunteers walked to work, 8 per cent cycled, 15 per cent used public transport and 63 per cent drove.
Previous research by the team had shown that walking or cycling to work daily cuts the risk of breast and bowel cancer.
Published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the study examined links between commuting and 16 other cancers. Except for liver and kidney cancer, travel habits did not show a clear impact.
They said: ‘Active commuting, such as walking, integrates exercise into daily routines, while driving increases sedentary behaviour. Making small changes to travel habits could be a simple way to reduce the risk of certain cancers and support overall health.’
