Ramblers and Cancer support groups say walking more would save lives

I was interested to see that a report, "Walking Works," has been published by the Ramblers (not exactly a disinterested source but that doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong) and MacMillan Cancer support, which argues that if people walked more it could prevent thousands of unnecesary premature deaths in the UK every year.

This follows a British Medical Journal study published last week which argued that exercise is as good a medicine as pills for some conditions including heart diseases and another study which suggested that walking for at least an hour a day significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer.

The UK's chief medical officers recommend 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. "Moderate" physical activity means enough to make the heart beat faster while still being able to readily have a conversation, and includes activities such as walking, cycling and gardening.

"Walking works" suggests that if everyone followed that advice it would


  • Save 37,000 lives each year

  • Prevent 6,700 cases of breast cancer

  • Stop 4,700 people getting colorectal cancer

  • Lead to nearly 300,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes.

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