Reducing the risk of cancer is apparently the last thing on the list of reasons to take exercise for many young men and women in the UK.

According to a survey conducted by Cancer Research UK and Cannons Health & Fitness, the main motivation for 16 to 24-year-olds to get down the gym is looking good.

The survey – which asked more than 1,000 people aged 16 and above – said that 59 per cent of women said they wanted to lose weight, and only 39 per cent of people wanted to reduce their risk of cancer.

Sixteen per cent of women were not motivated by health or vanity and admitted to taking no exercise at all.

However, 59 per cent of people said that reducing their risk of heart disease as reason for being active, proving that some health messages are getting through.

The survey results were released to coincide with the launch of a partnership between Cannons and Cancer Research UK.

Louise Bishop of Cancer Research UK said: “It’s believed that half of all cancers could be prevented b changes to lifestyle – in the UK this is around 135,000 cases a year.

“Our partnership with Cannons is important for raising awareness of what people can do to reduce their risk of cancer and encourage them to make positive changes in their lifestyle.”

Cancer Research UK is Cannons’ charity of the year, and a bespoke Cannons/Cancer Research UK membership package will be available, where customers will pay £2 a month extra on their membership, which will be matched by Cannons and donated to the charity.