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Spending 30 minutes less on this activity every day lowers risk of several cancers, researchers say
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- A sedentary lifestyle, with Americans sitting for an average of eight hours daily, is linked to an increased risk of several cancers, including breast cancer, partly due to its association with obesity.
- Research indicates that just a 30-minute increase in daily physical activity can significantly reduce cancer risk, with a 2020 study showing a 31% lower risk of cancer death when sitting is replaced by this amount of activity.
- Muscle activity during exercise helps regulate blood sugar and reduce disease risk, which may explain the connection between prolonged sitting and cancer, according to Harvard researchers.
- Meeting federal guidelines of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise plus strength training weekly can reduce breast cancer risk by 10-20%, while any amount of daily exercise contributes to lowering overall cancer risk by balancing hormones and supporting immune health.
- Experts recommend incorporating movement into daily routines, such as walking meetings or standing breaks at work, to counteract the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.
