Sedentary Behaviour and Cancer

Abstract

How sedentary behaviour affects cancer risk is still largely unknown. This chapter summarizes the modest, but growing, body of evidence accrued to date. Based on the findings of 25 different studies that have examined 17 different cancer sites, all-cancer mortality, and site-specific mortality (colorectal and liver cancer), we conclude that sedentary behaviour is associated with increased risks of endometrial (36%) and ovarian cancers (32%). We cannot rule out an increased risk for breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, but there is a lack of consistency across findings. Sedentary behaviour increases risk for all-cancer mortality (13%) and colorectal cancer-specific mortality (38% for pre-dia..