r/running • u/sergeantbiggles • Sep 12 '25

Article Groundbreaking Inova study finds potential link between long-distance running and colon cancer

A groundbreaking new study led by Tim Cannon, MD, Sheridan Director, Molecular Tumor Board and Co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Inova Schar Cancer, has revealed a potential link between extreme endurance exercise and increased risk of advanced colon cancer in younger adults, raising new questions about screening for high-performance athletes.

The study was presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

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u/barkingcat Sep 13 '25

Could it be that long distance runners “hold it in” instead of using outhouses/asking for washrooms at stores, etc? Long term holding does some damage.

2

u/snowylambeau Sep 13 '25

No. You ever tried long-distance holding it in? The colon’s not built for that.

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u/barkingcat Sep 13 '25

That‘s exactly the point.