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Sitting may increase risk of colon cancer

Category: Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers

A new study has found that sitting for a large part of the day as part of a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of getting colon cancer later in life. The study found that, even with exercise, those who spend an extended amount of time sitting each day may be more likely to get colon cancer, so those who sit often may want to consider getting lab tests to check their status.

Sitting and colon cancer
For those who sit more than 12 hours a day, whether they are reading, working, writing or using the computer, the risk of colon cancer rises, according to the researchers from the American Association for Cancer Research. Being active was found to reduce the risk of cancer substantially, especially in those who had already had colon cancer, according to lab tests, but the risk was still high for those who had long periods of sitting. The study found that those who engaged in physical activity regularly were as much as 25 to 30 percent less likely to have colon cancer.

"Even among those who fulfill daily recommendations for physical activity, lengthy periods of sedentary behavior have been associated with early morbidity [illness] and mortality, leading to the 'active couch potato' paradigm," said Christine Sardo Molmenti, Ph.D., M.P.H., one of the study's researchers.

The study's researchers suggested that people wishing to avoid colon cancer should get plenty of exercise and take frequent breaks to get short bursts of exercise, like walking. Those who think they may be at risk for colon cancer may want to consider a lab test online, which can help diagnose certain cancer markers and allow for treatment for begin.

Exercise and cancer
Lab tests have shown that lower cancer rates have been linked to exercise in numerous ways. Not only does exercise reduce the risk of colon cancer, but also breast cancer, noted USA Today. Older age, being African American and having a personal history of colorectal cancer have also been linked to higher rates of colon cancer later in life, so those who fit these criteria may want to have a blood test and other tests done to be sure.

Other risk factors include high-fat, low-fiber diets, a family history of colon cancer, alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity.