Sitting too long: Breaks could slash cancer risk by 12 percent

A prolonged sedentary lifestyle, particularly unbroken periods of sitting, poses a significantly higher risk of cancer-related death than overall daily inactivity. New research published in the journal PLOS Medicine indicates that each additional hour spent sitting continuously raises this mortality risk by 9 percent. Unpacking Sedentary Behavior A research team from the University of Glasgow, led by Frederick Ho, examined health data from 91,292 volunteers enrolled in the UK Biobank. Participants wore activity-monitoring devices for a week. Researchers then tracked these individuals for an average of nearly 12.4 years, categorizing their sedentary behavior into two distinct types: Prolonged Sedentary Periods: These were defined as intervals of at least 30 minutes where individuals remained largely stationary, engaging in activity for no more than 10% of the time. Intermittent Sedentary Periods: This category encompassed shorter sitting sessions (under 30 minutes) or instances where activity constituted more than 10% of the duration. Findings: The Peril of Unbroken Sitting The study's results revealed a strong correlation between prolonged sitting and increased cancer mortality. This extended inactivity was also linked to a higher overall cancer incidence and a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Notably, the researchers found associations with cancers commonly linked to obesity, including those affecting the bowel, liver, kidneys, pancreas, esophagus, breast, ovaries, and thyroid.