Spending long periods sitting down and having low levels of physical activity may be associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, even small changes to daily routines may help reduce this risk.
Spending long periods sitting down and having low levels of physical activity may be associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, even small changes to daily routines may help reduce this risk.
According to a medical study conducted in the United Kingdom, reducing daily sitting time by just 15 minutes and replacing it with any form of light physical activity could lower the risk of developing cancer by up to 2%. Researchers at University College London analyzed data from more than 59,000 people. The participants had an average age of 61, and their daily physical activity and sitting time were monitored using electronic wrist-worn devices.
The researchers followed the participants’ health for approximately eight years. During this period, 2,385 cases of cancer were recorded among the participants. Experts then used various analytical methods to examine the relationship between physical activity, sitting time, and cancer risk.
The findings showed that increasing physical activity and reducing the amount of time spent sitting were generally associated with a lower risk of cancer. According to the researchers, even small changes to daily routines can have positive health effects, particularly for people who spend long periods sitting. The researchers said that reducing normal sitting time by 15 minutes and replacing it with physical activity could reduce the risk of developing cancer by up to 2%. Meanwhile, reducing sitting time by 30 minutes was associated with a potential reduction in cancer risk of up to 8%.
Experts said that people do not necessarily need to begin a formal or intense exercise routine to achieve these benefits. Increasing everyday physical activity can also be helpful. Activities such as walking to buy groceries, walking short distances instead of using a vehicle, or taking the stairs instead of an elevator can all contribute to increased physical activity.
The study also found that people who were more physically active had a relatively lower risk of developing certain types of cancer. Previous research has likewise linked physical activity with a lower risk of several types of cancer, including cancers of the bladder, breast, bowel, kidney, and stomach. The researchers said the findings are particularly important for people who spend a large part of their day sitting, as even a modest reduction in sitting time can provide an opportunity to increase physical activity.
