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Too Much Sitting May Lower Odds of Surviving Colon Cancer
Study also found that staying active reduced the risk of dying
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Jan. 22 (HealthDay News) -- People diagnosed with colorectal cancer who spend a lot of their leisure time sitting have a higher risk of dying, according to researchers at the American Cancer Society.
People who are physically active, however, have a better chance of surviving than those who aren't, the researchers said.
"One factor might be that people who are physically active might be developing a less aggressive tumor," said lead researcher Peter Campbell, director of the society's Tumor Repository.
In addition, being physically fit may help people as they undergo treatment, he said.
Exercise improves cardiovascular and muscle fitness, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and improves blood sugar, Campbell noted. "Some of these factors would lead quite clearly to better tolerance for getting through surgery or other treatments," he said.
Campbell said the connection between sitting and dying isn't well understood.
