Prolonged Sitting Can Increase Risk Of Breast Cancer, Study Says

Prolonged sitting during working hours or from leading a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of cancer in women, according to a new study by Swedish scientists. The study, presented this week at the American Association for Cancer Research in Philadelphia, involved 29,000 Swedish women with age range of 25 to 64 years old, who were followed for 25 years. These women did not have any form of cancer at the beginning of the study.

The participants were grouped into three: those who work in an office and had inactive lifestyle; those who work in an office but led an active lifestyle; and those who have active jobs and still participated in sports.

The study found that women who were not active during work hours and work breaks are 2.4 times more likely to develop endometrial cancer and also the same probability of getting breast cancer before hitting menopausal stage, compared to their active counterparts.

The results of the study are in line with a previous study done in 2014 where it was shown that there is a link between certain cancers and inactive lifestyle. The 2014 study highlights that for every two hours more spent sitting, there is a ten percent increase in developing endometrial cancer. In addition, LiveScience also reports that there was also a 2011 study showing that inactivity was linked to 49,000 breast cancer cases in the U.S. each year.

According to one of the researchers, Anna Johnson, small activity during work is encouraged especially if work entails sitting for the whole duration of the shift. Johnson suggests that even getting away from the desk to get a cup of coffee or walking around a little can help reduce sitting time.

In previous studies, it was also suggested that taking breaks from inactivity by moving around a bit can also help reduce molecules that are associated with the increased cancer risk.

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