A recent study published in PLOS Medicine has found that reducing prolonged sedentary behavior can lower the risk of cancer death. The study, which monitored the sedentary habits of over 91,000 participants in the U.K. over the course of 12 years, found that each additional hour per day of prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a 10% higher risk of cancer death.

Breaking Up Sitting with Physical Activity

Replacing one hour of sitting each day with light activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death, while replacing 30 minutes with moderate activity was linked to an 8% lower risk. The researchers defined light physical activity as walking at a low speed and performing household chores, such as ironing a shirt or washing dishes.

Dr. Georgia Spear, chief of breast imaging at Northwestern Medicine, noted that the study adds to growing evidence that prolonged sedentary behavior is an independent health risk. She recommended standing and moving every 30 to 60 minutes, taking short walking breaks, and incorporating light activity throughout the day to help reduce the risk of cancer death.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.