Sitting for Long Periods of Time May Increase Cancer Risk

Researchers from Australia recently presented evidence from a study* that suggests sitting for long periods of time is associated with health risks – even for people who are regularly physically active.

Neville Owen, PhD, head of behavioral epidemiology at Australia's Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, says: "Sitting time is emerging as a strong candidate for being a cancer risk factor in its own right. It seems highly likely that the longer you sit, the higher your risk. This phenomenon isn't dependent on body weight or how much exercise people do.”

In the study, Dr. Owen measured waist circumference, insulin resistance and inflammation, which are indicators of cancer risk common to many physical activity-cancer studies.

His team found that when prolonged sitting is broken up with breaks as short as one minute, these biomarkers can be lowered. 

“Sedentary time is also likely an important factor for cancer survivors,” said Dr. Owen. For survivors, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are particular concerns and overweight and obesity increase the risk for both conditions. "Television viewing time, a sign of sedentary behavior, appears to increase subsequent risk of weight gain in cancer survivors."

What do you think? Based on this study’s findings, will you take more breaks away from your desk?

The Penn Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer seeks to understand more about exercise, weight loss and quality of life of cancer patients through research. Some projects at the center include studies on exercise and weight loss as they relate to cancer recurrence, and how exercise can help manage effects of cancer treatment.

Penn's Abramson Cancer Center is a national cancer center in Philadelphia providing comprehensive cancer treatment, clinical trials for cancer and is a cancer research center. The National Cancer Institute has designated the Abramson Cancer Center a Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 40 such cancer centers in the United States.

*Dr. Owen’s study called “Adults’ Sedentary Behavior: Determinants and Inteventions” appeared in the August 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Cancer Fighting Cupboard: Kale and Carrot Soup

As we enter the winter solstice, this delicious soup packed with cancer fighting ingredients promises to keep you warm.

Kale is a leafy green vegetable
with many cancer-fighting qualities.

Research has shown that kale reduces the risk of certain cancers, including colon cancer. A leafy green vegetable, kale is rich source of organosulfur compounds and other cancer-preventive compounds that block the growth of cancer cells and contribute to the death of cancerous cells.

Ingredients

• 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic* (more if you like)
• 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 inch of peeled fresh ginger, chopped or grated.
• 2-1 inch cinnamon sticks, left whole
• 2 bay leaves, left whole
• 1/2 lb. carrots, chopped
• 4 cups, cleaned (washed) or torn kale
• 1 large partially cooked sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• *Can cook in microwave for 8-10 minutes

*Chop garlic 10 minutes before you sauté to increase its anti-cancer benefits.

Sauté first six ingredients until tender, but not brown (approximately 5 minutes). Add carrots and 2 cups water. Cook until carrots are tender (approximately 20 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Add kale, sweet potato and 2 cups water. Cook until kale is wilted, but still bright in color. Sweet potatoes will break up slightly (or you can smash about half the sweet potato) and thicken the broth. Remove the whole cinnamon sticks and bay leaves before eating. Season with salt and pepper to you liking.

Serve with a tossed salad made with lots of different greens and fresh whole grain bread, using more olive oil or hummus for a spread.

Want another recipe using kale? Click here for a recipe for a delicious chopped kale salad.

Source: Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD, Cancer Nutrition Information, LLC, http://www.cancernutritioninfo.com/

Content for this post provided by Joan Karnell Cancer Center.

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