Physical inactivity is a Cause of Cancer

In one study exploring the lifestyle of people and the incidence of cancer, researchers have demonstrated that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing cancer. Several literature reviews also support the correlation between physical inactivity and carcinogenesis.

 

The incidence of cancer has increased dramatically throughout the world in recent years, and cancer is a major cause of disease burden. Prevention is key to reducing cancer's incidence, prevalence, and death rate. Protective elements like physical activity, a healthy diet, and a healthy body weight should be strengthened while known risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use should be avoided. It has been demonstrated that sedentary activity raises the incidence and mortality of cancer. Sedentary behavior, which is widely observed in our daily lives, is defined as "any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure․ 1.5 metabolic equivalents, while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture." At the same time, Adults engage in sitting habits for about 8.2 hours every day.

 

The incidence of cancer has a geographical pattern as well as socio-economic signature. Whereas the LMICs display mortality and morbidity patterns that are associated with infections and lack of infrastructure, the situation is quite different for the High-income countries. For instance, in the US, obesity and lifestyle determinants have a major role in the causation and progression of various cancers. In Africa, and many less developed WHO regions, the impacts of poor cancer management, prevention and control infrastructure act in concert to drive the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer. The African cancer landscape has several unique compounding elements. For instance, the roles that infections and culture play have multiple impacts on health seeking, as well as diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Consequently, the delays that arise lead to late presentation for cancer treatment. Furthermore, acting together with poor diagnosis, lack of personnel, and capacity to manage cancer the oncological picture of Africa is in need of multifocal and urgent action.

 

 

What are common sedentary activities?

We are spending an increasing amount of time in high-income countries in front of screens, including TVs, laptops, tablets, and cellphones. Additionally, most of the time that we text, view videos, play online games, browse the web, or post on social media, we do so while seated.

We also drive and use public transportation more and more of the time. And because technology has advanced, a lot of us also spend our days seated at our desks. While many low-income countries have an inherent disadvantage, several of these lifestyle elements are evident in the LMICs. For example, in low-income countries, the expense of diagnosis is unaffordable, while in high-income countries, cancer screening and diagnosis are readily available. However, even if some technology was brought to the LMICs to help with cancer management, it would be useless due to a staffing shortage.

Why is sedentary behavior bad?

Researchers recognize sedentary behavior as a health risk since it can lead to weight gain. Obesity is a risk factor for at least 11 types of cancer. Strong evidence exists that higher level of physical activity reduce the risk of different cancers like breast, colon (intestine), uterus, ovary, prostate, esophagus (food pipe), stomach and bladder.

Over the last thirty to forty years, physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and overweight or obesity have been identified as the three key modifiable variables associated with an increased risk of cancer. Dietary composition, physical activity, and sedentary behavior all have a significant impact on the incidence of malignancies linked to obesity. According to studies, those who spend a lot of time sitting still are more prone to overfeed themselves. Regretfully, the feeding requires consuming unhealthy snacks and beverages. Further research has revealed that those who follow poor diet plans are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and be careless about maintaining their health.

Therefore, it is noteworthy that a sedentary lifestyle affects not only cancer but many other health states as well. Efforts to combat cancer, must target the entire spectrum of relevant issues including the cultural determinants of cancer as well as the legislative environment in which cancer occurs.  

 

Further Reading

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