Are Marathons and Extreme Running Linked to Colon Cancer?

5 littlexsparkee 1 8/19/2025, 6:04:36 PM nytimes.com ↗

Comments (1)

jerlam · 1h ago
Betteridge's law of headlines applies and the answer is: probably not.

> [The study] lacked a control arm consisting of similar young adults who were not long-distance runners

> The new study comes amid heightened concerns about a rise in colon and rectal cancer rates among adults under 50 [...] The rise in colorectal cancer among younger adults has mystified experts. Physical inactivity and rising rates of obesity are frequently blamed — one reason his very fit, lean patients struck Dr. Cannon as worth investigating.

Marathoners eat a lot of heavily processed food, like gels. Ultrarunners eat a lot of junk food.