Just 30 minutes of inactivity may raise cancer death risk — Study

Researchers have warned that a simple habit, standing up and moving every 30 minutes could help lower the risk of dying from cancer.

A new study that tracked more than 91,000 adults over 12 years found that sitting or lying down for more than 30 minutes at a stretch was associated with a higher risk of cancer death. The risk increased with every additional hour of uninterrupted inactivity.

The study, led by scientists at the University of Glasgow and published in PLOS Medicine, found that each extra hour of continuous sitting was linked to a 10 per cent increase in the risk of dying from cancer.

However, the researchers also found that breaking up long periods of sitting with even light movement—such as walking around the office, doing household chores, or simply standing up every half hour—could significantly reduce that risk.

Lead researcher Dr Frederick Ho said the findings offer an encouraging message.

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“Our data show that sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time is particularly linked to a higher risk of cancer. The good news is that something as simple as a short walk could be protective,” he said.

The study found that replacing one hour of sitting each day with light physical activity, such as ironing or washing up, was associated with a 12 per cent lower risk of cancer death. Similarly, replacing just five minutes of sitting with five minutes of vigorous exercise was linked to a 22 per cent reduction in risk.

According to the researchers, the findings suggest that it’s not only how much people exercise that matters, but also how often they break up prolonged periods of sitting.

While long periods of sitting or lying down while awake have long been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers, the researchers say less is known about whether the way sedentary time is accumulated also influences health.

Although the study does not prove that sitting directly causes cancer, the researchers said it adds to growing evidence that reducing prolonged inactivity could play an important role in improving long-term health.