Prolonged Sitting Linked to Higher Cancer Death Risk

Each extra hour of prolonged sitting is linked to a 9% higher risk of cancer death, according to a new study of over 91,000 adults. The research suggests that how sitting time is accumulated may matter as much as total sedentary time. The study, published in PLOS Medicine and led by Frederick Ho of the University of Glasgow, tracked participants for a median of 12.38 years. Prolonged sedentary behavior was defined as bouts of at least 30 minutes, while interrupted sitting showed lower cancer risks. Replacing one hour of prolonged sitting with light activity was linked to a 12% lower risk of cancer death. The findings come from a single UK Biobank cohort with health volunteer bias, and the observational study cannot prove causation. Researchers lacked data on sitting circumstances, such as work or driving. Authors emphasize that light movement should not be ignored, calling for clinical trials to develop personalized strategies for breaking up sitting time.