Can a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of colorectal cancer? – Medical Information Bulletin

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In a recent study, Chinese, Korean and American researchers explored the relationship between a sedentary lifestyle and the risk of colorectal cancer at an early stage.

Colorectal cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum and is usually diagnosed later. However, early-onset colorectal cancer, diagnosed before the age of 50, is becoming more prevalent worldwide. The disease may appear differently from the late-onset form and is often at a more aggressive stage than colorectal cancer in older patients, increasing the number of years of life lost in younger patients. Until recently, the cause of this alarming trend has not been explained.

In a new JNCI Cancer Spectrum In this study, researchers from the United States, Korea, and China examined the relationship between rising levels of early-stage colorectal cancer and sedentary lifestyles.

Sedentary lifestyles have become the fourth risk factor for mortality

Physical inactivity is an important public health concern for people of all ages. Sedentary lifestyles have become the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide and are linked to a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. In 2013, more than three-quarters of Canadian adults and over 90% of children and youth in Canada did not meet physical activity guidelines. These guidelines suggest a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily for children and youth and 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults.

The increase in sedentary behaviors can in part be attributed to higher rates of office work and pbadive consumption of media, such as television. People who respect the recommended minimum amounts of exercise are always at risk for poor health if they spend a large part of their waking hours being physically inactive.

As part of this study, researchers studied sedentary behaviors, including the duration of television viewing, in 89,278 women aged 25 to 42 years. Participants in the study were followed for 22 years and monitored for colorectal cancer of recent onset. In total, researchers reported 118 cases of colorectal cancer of recent onset in these patients.

Watching more than two hours of television a day is badociated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer

They found that women who watched more than one hour of television a day were 12% more likely to develop the disease and those who watched more than two hours a day had an increased risk of almost 70%. This badociation was even more pronounced for rectal cancer than for colon cancer. Women who reported spending more time onscreen also had higher rates of diabetes, used fewer multivitamins, were less physically active, and had lower quality diets than those with less time at the clinic. # 39; screen.

The results were consistent for all patients regardless of body mbad index (BMI) and other typical risk factors for colorectal cancer. However, patients with high BMIs, those who smoked and patients who were less physically active were at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer at an early stage.

Active lifestyles are needed to prevent chronic diseases

The results demonstrate the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle to prevent chronic diseases. Reducing periods of inactivity can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer at early onset and improve overall health. The study also helps identify people at high risk of colorectal cancer who could benefit from faster screening and intervention.

Further studies are needed to determine how a sedentary lifestyle causes these biological changes in the body and what preventative measures can be used to help young patients at risk.

Written by Braydon Black, BSc

References:

1. American Cancer Society. What is colorectal cancer? Atlanta, GA: ACS; [updated 2018 Feb 21; cited 2019 Feb 17]. Available at the following address: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html
2. Nguyen LH, Liu P, Zheng X, N Keum, Zong X, Li X. Sedentary behaviors, television viewing time and risk of colorectal cancer at an early stage. JNCI Cancer Spectrum [Internet]. 2019 January; [cited 2019 Feb 17]; 2 (4). Available at: https://academic.oup.com/jncics/article/2/4/pky073/5301781 doi: 10.1093 / jncics / pky073
3. Government of Canada. How healthy are Canadians? Physical inactivity [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada; [updated 2017 Apr 11; cited 2019 Feb 17]. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/how-healthy-canadians.html#s3-1-2
4. Public Health Agency of Canada. Health Status of Canadians 2016: Report of the Chief Public Health Officer. Ottawa, ON: Public Health Agency of Canada; 2016. 64 p. Cat. No .: 978-0-660-05480-3.