Sitting linked to higher cancer death risk

Sitting linked to higher cancer death risk

A new study has found that sitting for long stretches of time is linked to a higher risk of dying from cancer. The research, which analyzed data from over 90,000 people, suggests that breaking up periods of sedentary behavior with light activity can help reduce this risk.

According to the study, people who sat for more than 30 minutes at a time had a higher risk of dying from cancer, while those who got up regularly to stand or walk briefly appeared to have a lower risk. This suggests that it's not just the total amount of time spent sitting that matters, but also how that time is accumulated.

The study's findings are based on data from the UK Biobank, a large research resource that tracks the health and habits of thousands of people over time. The researchers used wearable devices to track the participants' physical activity and sedentary behavior, and then followed them for an average of 12 years to see who developed cancer and who died from it.

Replacing sedentary time with light physical activity, such as slow walking or housework, was associated with a lower risk of cancer death. Specifically, substituting one hour of sedentary behavior with light physical activity was linked to a 12% lower risk of cancer death, while replacing 30 minutes of sedentary time with moderate physical activity was associated with an 8% lower risk.

Even small amounts of physical activity can make a difference, according to the study. Replacing just five minutes of sedentary time with vigorous exercise was linked to a 22% lower risk of cancer death.

While the study's findings are significant, they do have some limitations. The researchers note that the participants in the study were generally healthier and more affluent than the general population, which may limit the applicability of the results to other groups. Additionally, the study cannot prove cause and effect, only an association between sedentary behavior and cancer risk.

Breaking up long periods of sitting with physical activity can help reduce the risk of cancer death. As Dr. Heidi Prather, a lifestyle medicine expert, notes, "Just get up. That is the main message there... Interrupting sedentary behavior with any type of activity seems to have some very impressive results."

It's not necessary to engage in intense or prolonged exercise to reap the benefits of physical activity. Simple actions like taking a short walk, doing a few chores, or even just standing up and stretching can make a difference.

Incorporating physical activity into daily life is important, even for people who already exercise regularly. If you are engaging in long periods of sitting, whether at work or on the couch, you need to counter it.