Simple sitting change linked to lower risk of cancer death, study finds

Reducing your risk of cancer death may be as simple as taking brief breaks for physical activity throughout the day, according to a new observational study.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Glasgow studying the association between cancer and prolonged sedentary behavior, found that participants who regularly interrupted prolonged sitting with physical activity had a lower risk of cancer death.

"This study adds to growing evidence that prolonged sedentary behavior is an independent health risk," Dr. Georgia Spear, chief of breast imaging at Northwestern Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

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"While it does not prove that sitting causes cancer, it suggests that long, uninterrupted periods of sitting are associated with a higher risk of cancer mortality," Spear explained. "The findings reinforce existing public health recommendations that regular movement throughout the day is an important component of cancer prevention."

The researchers monitored 91,292 volunteer participants in the U.K. who wore movement-tracking devices on their wrists for seven days to track their sedentary habits. The scientists followed the volunteers' health outcomes over the course of about 12 years.

The researchers defined prolonged sedentary behavior as any bout that lasted "at least 30 minutes and during which at least 90% of the time was sedentary."

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They defined interrupted sitting as sessions that lasted fewer than 30 minutes or were interrupted by brief periods of physical activity.

Each additional hour per day of prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a 10% higher risk of cancer death, the researchers reported in their study, published by PLOS Medicine.

Replacing one hour of sitting each day with light activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death. Replacing 30 minutes with moderate activity was linked to an 8% lower risk, and replacing just five minutes with vigorous activity was associated with a 22% lower risk.

The researchers classified light physical activity as walking at a low speed and performing household chores, such as ironing a shirt or washing dishes.

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These findings should be interpreted with caution, the researchers wrote, "because the study cannot prove causality."

The volunteers may not represent the wider population, they noted, "and the activity monitor captured behavior only during a limited period without showing the context of sedentary behavior, such as work, television viewing or driving."

Spear said existing research has linked sedentary behavior to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several cancers.

"What is notable here is the finding that how people sit appears to matter, not just the total amount," she said. "Breaking up sitting with regular movement may provide measurable health benefits."

According to Spear, other simple lifestyle strategies can be highly effective at reducing cancer-death risk.

"Stand and move every 30 to 60 minutes, take short walking breaks, including after meals, use the stairs, walk during phone calls and incorporate light activity throughout the day," she recommended.

"Combined with regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, not smoking and staying current with recommended cancer screening, these habits can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and other chronic diseases."