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The long distance career, such as marathons and ultramarathons, may not always be the health badge that we think it was. In fact, it could increase its risk of cancer, according to a new study outside Virginia.
Dr. Timothy Cannon, from the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, began working in the study, which was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (disgust) of 2025 in Chicago, after noticing that the ultramarratonia under 40 years of age were presented with advanced colon cancer.
To deepen, he launched a study of runners who had completed at least five marathons or two ultramarathons, excluding those with family history or other known risk factors.
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The study used 100 participants between the ages of 35 and 50 that had completed at least five marathons or two ultramarathons. (Istock)
“The study supports the hypothesis that extreme resistance corridors have a higher risk of precancerous polyps,” Cannon told Fox News Digital.
The researchers examined 100 participants between the ages of 35 and 50 who had never suffered a colonoscopy, but had completed at least five marathons or two ultramarathons. People with hereditary cancer syndromes or intestinal inflammatory disease were excluded to maintain focus on the potential impact of resistance exercise alone.
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Each participant had a colonoscopy during the study. They also completed a survey on dietary habits, intestinal history and long -distance career patterns.
He discovered that 15% had advanced adenomas, or growing colon growth, compared to the 1–2% normal for their age group. Even more, an amazing 41% had at least one adenoma.
Each participant had a colonoscopy during the study. (Istock)
Any growth discovered during the procedures was reviewed by a panel of gastroenterologists, pathologists and oncologists to determine if they met the criteria for advanced adenomas.
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“I was surprised how many of the runners had polyps,” said Cannon.
“I thought they could have more adenomas and advanced adenomas than expected for that age group … but I did not imagine that 15% had advanced adenoma.”
The average age of the participants was 42.5, well below the typical 45 -year -old detection age.
Cannon says that “he did not imagine” that 15% of the subjects would have advanced adenoma, explaining that the number was much greater than expected. (Istock)
Canons and other experts theorize that intense resistance training can cause “intestinal stress” repeated. During prolonged races, blood deviates from intestines, possibly triggering damage and inflammation. Over time, that could lead to mutations and polyps.
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Experts warn that the results are not definitive, noting that the study lacks a control group and has not yet suffered a peer review. Even so, the numbers can sit down and pay attention.
“We did not have a control group, so this raises the question of whether there is any bias,” said the doctor, adding that the runners were mainly from the Washington DC area, and can have other common risk factors outside the race.
According to Cannon patients, many gastroenterologists discard bleeding after running as a normal event. (Istock)
He also acknowledged that research did not take into account detailed family records, which could have influenced the results.
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Despite the results, it is not a signal for the ditch that is completely executed.
“Let me say first that people should continue exercising,” Cannon emphasized. “We have many more problems by not exercising than exercising.”
He added that the exercise decreases its risk of cancer in general, despite this study that supports the idea that extreme doses of exercise, such as ultramarathons, can increase cancer risk.
The investigation did not explain detailed family stories. (Istock)
For those who run extreme distances, it is important to monitor symptoms such as bleeding, persistent diarrhea or abdominal pain.
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Bleeding after running should not be considered normal or benign and someone who experiences it should seek medical attention.
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“As far as I know, there is no expert body of gastroenterologists who have declared that any rectal bleeding or blood in the feces is not a cause for concern,” said Cannon.
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“However, my patients tell me that, in practice, many gastroenterologists rule out bleeding after running as a normal event.”
