Not smoking. Being physically active for at least 30 minutes per day or having a job with light or heavy manual activity. Waist circumference of less than 88 cm for women and 102cm for men. Weekly alcohol consumption of fewer than seven alcoholic drinks for women and 14 for men. A healthy diet ™, defined as eating more than or equal to 600g of fruit and vegetables per day, less than or equal to 500g of red and processed meat per week, more than or equal to 3g of dietary fibre per megajoule (MJ) of dietary energy, and less than or equal to 30% of total dietary energy from fat.

Results from the study showed 8% scored zero or one on the lifestyle index scale, 26% scored two, 40% scored three, 25% scored four and 1% scored the maximum of five. There were 678 cases of colorectal cancer detected during the follow-up period. People who had higher scores on the lifestyle index scale had lower incidence of colorectal cancer.

Researchers concluded that if all the participants had followed the health recommendations for all five risk factors, 23% of colorectal cancer cases could have been avoided. Lead researcher Helene Kirkegaard and colleagues conclude, Our study reveals the useful public health message that even modest differences in lifestyle might have a substantial impact on colorectal cancer risk and emphasizes the importance of continuing vigorous efforts to convince people to follow the lifestyle recommendations.