Sitting Boosts Cancer Risk In Women, Study

Women spending too long sitting in leisure have an increased risk of cancers, a new study warns.

According to New Zealand Herald, the findings come from an American Cancer Society study, which concluded that women who sit for six hours more than the average amount of time spent sitting while in leisure, have 65 percent higher risk of multiple myeloma, 10 percent increased risk of breast cancer and 43 percent higher risk of ovarian cancer. Women who have physically active also have an increased risk, the study found.

The study involved observation of around 70,000 men and 77,000 women of which 12,236 cancer between 1992 and 2009. Around 18,555 men were diagnosed with cancer during the same period. Researchers found that with every hour sitting in leisure, a woman's risk of cancer increased but there was no similar association found in men. The study's authors opined that increased blood sugar levels while sitting without expending energy, may be increasing a woman's risk.

NBC News reports about another study from Bloomberg School of Public Health found that breast cancers survivors are twice likely to gain more weight post treatment than cancer-free women. It is among the few studies to show an association between weight gain and cancer treatment. Researchers believe the reason can be two-fold.

Chemotherapy can make one feel unwell and prevent them working. During treatment, some may also eat what they like, which may not necessarily be healthy, to feel better. Additionally, it is also theorized that chemotherapy can make some people insulin resistant, which can lead to weight gain.