The data was taken from the UK Biobank, where participants’ physical activity was recorded for seven days using activity monitors. Researchers then followed their health for an average of 12.38 years.
The participants were divided into different groups based on the amount of time they spent sitting and their level of physical activity.
The study found that people who spent more time sitting and rarely moved from their place had a 9 percent higher risk of dying from several types of cancer.
The risk was also higher for cancers linked to obesity, including cancers of the oesophagus, liver, kidney, pancreas, breast, bowel and thyroid.
Researchers found that making a habit of standing up or moving around during periods of sitting could reduce the risk of dying from cancer by up to 12 percent.
Previous studies have also linked prolonged sitting with a higher risk of several health problems. However, researchers said the latest findings suggest that remaining in the same position for long periods may be particularly harmful to health.
The researchers said even light physical activity could provide some protection against health risks.
They noted that moderate to vigorous physical activity offers greater protection against cancer, but light activity should not be ignored.
However, the researchers acknowledged that the study had some limitations and could not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between sitting for long periods and cancer deaths.
The findings were published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
