A new study led by the University of Oxford suggests that everyday activities like walking, shopping, or even tidying up around the house could play a key role in reducing your risk of cancer.

It’s about how much you move—not how fast

Researchers at the Oxford Centre for Early Cancer Detection found that the amount of daily movement had a stronger link to lowering cancer risk than how intense or fast that movement was. For example, people who walked 7,000 steps a day had an 11% lower risk of developing cancer compared to those who walked only 5,000 steps. That risk dropped by 16% for those who reached 9,000 steps.

“This research shows that all movement matters,” said Professor Aiden Doherty, senior author of the study and professor of biomedical informatics at Oxford Population Health. “Whether it’s a few more steps, light activity, or more vigorous exercise, any physical activity can help reduce cancer risk.”

Everyday Activity Makes a Difference

The study supports existing health guidelines and expands on them by showing that even those who don’t hit the gym regularly can still benefit. Simply being active throughout the day—walking more, running errands, or doing housework—can offer real protective effects.

The study also had contributions from the US National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. Funding came from the NIH’s Intramural Research Program and the Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program.

So, next time you decide to skip the gym, don’t worry too much. A stroll around the neighborhood or a bit of house cleaning could still be helping your long-term health. Photo by Anneli Salo, Wikimedia commons.