Study: Sitting Too Much May Increase Risk For Certain Cancers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Yet another reason to get moving.

A new study from Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that those who spend most of their day sitting, whether at work or in front of the TV, may have an increased risk of getting certain types of cancer.

Researchers looked at 43 past studies on the topic and after integrating those results with their own, they came up with both positive and negative findings.

The positive: sitting for long periods of time does not appear to be linked to all cancers. Researchers say there was no link between being inactive and breast, ovarian, testicular, prostate, stomach, kidney or esophageal cancer.

However, the negative is the same could not be said for colon cancer and endometrial cancers.

According to the study, people who spent most of their time sitting down had a 24 percent increased risk of colon cancer compared to others who did not spend as much time sedentary.

And if you watch a lot of TV, you may want to stand up for this part. Those who spent the most time watching the boob tube had a 54 percent increased risk of getting colon cancer.

As for endometrial cancers, researchers say there was a 32 percent increased risk for females who spent the most time sitting and a 66 percent increased risk for those who spent the most time sitting watching TV.

To break it down even more, the study says that every two hour increase of inactiveness connects to an 8 percent increased risk of colon cancer, and even worse, a 10 percent increased risk of endometrial cancer.

So take that afternoon walk and move around while watching your favorite primetime shows. It may just save your life.

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