Frequent breaks from sitting may lower cancer death risk, study suggests

Frequent breaks from sitting may lower cancer death risk, study suggests

A new study has found that sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time is linked to a higher risk of dying from cancer, while breaking up long sitting spells with light activity appeared to lower that risk. The research, which analyzed data from over 91,000 UK Biobank participants, suggests that replacing sedentary behavior with physical activity could help reduce the risk of cancer death.

The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that each additional hour of prolonged inactivity every day was associated with a 10% higher risk of cancer death. However, replacing one hour of sedentary behavior with light physical activity, such as slow walking or household tasks, was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death. Replacing 30 minutes of inactivity with moderate physical activity reduced the risk by 8%, while substituting five minutes of sitting with five minutes of vigorous activity was associated with a 22% lower risk.

According to Dr. Frederick Ho, the lead author of the study, "What our data shows is that sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time is particularly linked to a higher risk of cancer. The good news is that breaking up your sitting time with something as simple as a short walk could be protective." Ho added that current health guidelines focus heavily on moderate or vigorous exercise, but the study suggests that light movement should not be ignored.

The researchers used data from wearable devices worn by the participants, who were followed for an average of 12 years. The study found that the total amount of prolonged inactivity – continuous inactivity for more than 30 minutes – was associated with cancer risks. However, the researchers noted that the study has some limitations, including the fact that it cannot prove cause and effect, only an association.

Other experts, such as Scherezade Mama, a researcher at MD Anderson, agree that breaking up long periods of sitting with small breaks of activity can help reduce the risk of cancer. Mama suggests that people can reduce their sitting time by finding ways to unwind that don't require sitting, such as physical exercise or active hobbies.

The study's findings are consistent with previous research that has shown that prolonged sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. However, the study's authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sedentary behavior and cancer risk.

In the meantime, the study's authors suggest that people can take simple steps to reduce their sitting time and lower their risk of cancer. These include getting up every 20-30 minutes to move around, taking a short walk during the day, or doing some light stretching or exercise.

Overall, the study's findings suggest that frequent breaks from sitting may be an important way to lower the risk of cancer death. By incorporating more physical activity into daily routines and taking regular breaks to move around, people may be able to reduce their risk of cancer and improve their overall health.

The study's authors plan to conduct further research to develop personalized strategies for breaking up sitting time and reducing the risk of cancer. In the future, clinical trials will be conducted to test the effectiveness of different interventions, such as wearable devices or mobile apps, in reducing sedentary behavior and improving health outcomes.

The study's findings highlight the importance of breaking up long periods of sitting with physical activity to reduce the risk of cancer death. By taking simple steps to incorporate more movement into daily routines, people may be able to lower their risk of cancer and improve their overall health.