Long Periods of Sitting May Increase Cancer Death Risk, Study Finds

Spending long periods sitting without regular movement may increase the risk of dying from cancer, according to a new study published in the medical journal PLOS Medicine. Researchers found that each additional hour of uninterrupted sitting per day was associated with a 9% higher risk of cancer-related death.

The findings add to growing evidence that prolonged sedentary behavior can have serious health consequences. Researchers say replacing some sitting time with light physical activity may help lower the risk.

Study Followed More Than 91,000 Adults

The research was conducted by Professor Frederick Ho and colleagues at the University of Glasgow using data from 91,292 participants in the UK Biobank.

Participants wore activity monitors continuously for seven days, allowing researchers to objectively measure movement and sedentary time. They were then followed for a median period of 12.38 years to assess long-term health outcomes.

Sedentary Lifestyle Linked to Multiple Cancers

According to the study, prolonged sitting was associated with a higher risk of cancer-related death as well as an increased incidence of several obesity-related cancers.

These included cancers of the esophagus, liver, kidney, pancreas, colorectum, breast and thyroid. Researchers also found an association with cancers linked to type 2 diabetes.

Light Activity May Help Reduce Risk

The study found that replacing one hour of prolonged sitting each day with light physical activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of dying from cancer.

However, the researchers cautioned that the findings show an association rather than direct cause and effect. They also noted that UK Biobank participants may not fully represent the general population, and the study did not examine the reasons for prolonged sitting, such as office work or commuting.

The researchers said further studies are needed to better understand how reducing sedentary time may influence long-term cancer outcomes.

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