Are any other runners concerned about the increased risk of colon cancer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if this has to do with with all the processed energy products - GUs, gels, etc. Protein powders and bars just can't be good in the long term, too.

There's no replacement for real food.

I laughed.

[Anonymous]

It's repeated dehydration that's the link.

Also probably a high-carb diet feeding the disease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's repeated dehydration that's the link.

Also probably a high-carb diet feeding the disease.

Why would a high carb (and likely high fiber) diet "feed the disease?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are not your usual "staying fit" runners or the people you see running 5ks/10ks/half marathons or even the one-time bucket list marathon.

These people were high-volume competitive repeat marathoners and ultramarathoners, if you look at the study. These people are on the extreme end of running, especially the ultramarathoners...they're pushing themselves past the "wall" regularly (which is literally your body shutting down because you've pushed it so hard) and experience throwing up and diarrhea as a result of their training/races.

These are also the people in the running community who are most likely to be extremely underweight, which is associated with worse health outcomes than being a healthy weight.

https://www.inovanewsroom.org/press-release/2025/08/groundbreaking-inova-study-finds-potential-link-between-long-distance-running-and-colon-cancer/

Haven't there also been studies that this population has increased risk of other health problems? If I am remembering correctly, it seems that the ultra athletes are less healthy than a more average person trying to stay fit.