A new study has found that walking for 30 minutes a day could lower the risk of death from colon cancer.

According to researchers, such a simple routine could also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other cancers and can even be beneficial after cancer diagnosis, reports the Daily Express.

Researchers examined data from more than 150,000 people between 1982 and 2005. Those who exercised consistently for at least 10 years showed the lowest risk of colon cancer death.

The most benefits showed in those who exercised most, said lead author Kathleen Wolin, of Washington University.

"You get enormous 'bang for the buck'. You go for a 30-minute walk every day and you're going to reduce your risk of a number of diseases.

"It's never too late but it's also never too early to start being active.

Even those who haven't can begin after diagnosis and see some real benefits as well," she said.