New Study Reveals Link Between Prolonged Sitting and Cancer

Who among us hasn’t been affected by the 21st-century epidemic known as 'prolonged sitting'? Many studies have already proven a direct link between extended sitting and heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and digestive and intestinal problems. However, a new study recently conducted has found a new connection, previously undiscussed, linking prolonged immobility to the development of cancerous cells in the colon and uterus.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Regensburg in Germany and involved analyzing past studies in which about four million people were surveyed about their lifestyle and the total amount of time they spend sitting over the course of a day. The conclusion: For every two hours of prolonged sitting, the risk of colon cancer increases by 8%, while the risk of uterine cancer rises by 10%. In other words, the more a person lounges in place without moving, often accompanied by increased food intake, the higher the likelihood of developing one of these two types of cancer.

The research also indicates that even people who don’t suffer from obesity or frequently exercise in the gym may still be affected by the long-term impacts of prolonged sitting (or lying down). The study's lead researcher, Daniela Schmidt, points to experiments showing that lying in bed for two weeks, for example, also increases the level of CRP (an inflammatory response). "Even daily exercise is not a solution to preventing cancer," she concludes. "One must strive to avoid lounging in one spot for more than two consecutive hours without moving."