A study of more than 4 million people shows a link between sedentary behavior and the risk of developing colon, lung and endometrial cancer.
Physical inactivity has been linked with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, but it could also increase the risk of certain cancers. While many scientific studies have already shown this association in recent years, a large study which has just been published in the journal Journal of the National Cancer Institute drives the point home. This analysis, compiling the results of 43 observational studies already carried out on the subject, was therefore based on quantitative data concerning 4 million people, among whom 68,936 cases of cancer were diagnosed. All the volunteers had therefore filled in questionnaires or answered interviews on their lifestyle: time spent in front of the TV, the length of the day in a seated position, whether for work or in their daily life, their daily activities …
Each 2 hours more sitting, + 8% risk of colon cancer
Thus in this study, it appears that sedentary behavior is associated with a 24% increased risk of developing colon cancer, 32% endometrial cancer, and 21% lung cancer. But the results of this survey are even more disturbing when we look in more detail at the impact of some very common sedentary habits. For example, people who watched television the most had a 54% higher risk of developing colon cancer compared to those who watched it the least and a 66% higher risk of endometrial cancer. .
Furthermore, the authors also note that for every additional 2 hours spent sitting during the day, participants’ risk of colon cancer increased by 8% in this analysis. That of endometrial cancer even increased by 10% for this same criterion. In contrast, the authors did not find a link between sedentary behaviors and other types of cancer, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
And it is not enough to exercise regularly
According to specialists, these results highlight the importance of clearly differentiating between physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. Concretely, one can be considered as sedentary, while practicing a physical activity regularly. “Based on these results, it’s not enough to just be active, it’s also important to sit less,” says Dr. Graham Colditz, of Washington University School of Medicine, who wrote a editorial accompanying this study. People tend not to talk about the time they spend sitting the same way they talk about the physical activity they do ”. And this expert offers several tips to be less sedentary, whether at home or in the office. For example, he explains that a good way to fight inactivity is to try to force yourself to take breaks every two hours, to take a brisk walk in the corridors of his company or to get out of the air. a few minutes. Finally, this specialist also advises not to have lunch at his office and to do it outside which can also be a good way to schedule a physical break during the day.
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