Daily Walking Linked to Lower Cancer Risk, Oxford Study Shows

Even a slow, casual walk each day might offer powerful protection against cancer, according to a major study led by the University of Oxford and the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Researchers tracked over 85,000 participants in the UK and found that those who walked more each day, even at a leisurely pace, had a significantly lower risk of developing 13 types of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer.

Participants wore wrist devices that recorded their daily movement over nearly six years. The results showed that people who were more active- whether walking, doing chores, or running errands- had a 26% lower risk of developing cancer compared to those who were mostly sedentary.

Step count matters more than speed:

• 7,000 steps a day reduced cancer risk by 11%

• 9,000 steps led to a 16% risk reduction

• Additional steps beyond that did not show significantly more benefit

Unlike previous studies based on self-reported activity, this research used real-time movement tracking, making the findings especially reliable.

The conclusion? Every movement counts. Whether it’s a short walk, climbing stairs, or tidying the house- incorporating daily physical activity, even at light intensity, may offer serious long-term protection against one of the most serious health threats.