Globe & Mail: Prolonged bouts of sitting increase cancer risk

From the Globe & Mail:

As I listened to experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research annual conference in Washington, D.C., last week, it became clear I do something that may actually increase my risk of cancer.

During my work days counselling clients in my private practice, I sit at my desk for eight hours a day. If I do enough prolonged sitting each day, researchers tell me my four weekly gym workouts may not be enough to offset the potential health hazards of sitting for hours on end.

According to the research presented, sedentary behaviour – meaning too much sitting rather than just getting too little exercise – is emerging as a new risk factor for cancer. And it seems the longer you sit, the higher your risk irrespective of how much you weigh or how much exercise you do.

So far studies have tied sedentary behaviour to a greater risk of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers.

The full article is available for free via the Globe & Mail website.