Jul 13, 2015 02:16 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

New research suggests that sitting for long periods of time could increase total cancer risk in women.

Researchers, led by Alpa Patel of American Cancer Society, found that leisure-time spent sitting was associated with a 10 percent increase in cancer for women, specifically multiple myeloma, breast, and ovarian cancers, Cancer Therapy Advisor reported.

Although extensive research links physical activity to cancer prevention, few studies have examined the link between sitting time and the risk of specific cancers. Over the past few decades, time spent sitting has increased due to several factors, including technological advancements, like computers and video games, and changes in transportation.

For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from more than 146,000 men and women who were cancer-free and enrolled in the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort.

After adjusting for physical activity, BMI and other factors, they found that a leisure-time siting modestly increased women's risk of developing cancer. The association was not apparent in men.

"Further research is warranted to better understand the differences in associations between men and women," researchers concluded in their study.

Previous studies have linked sedentary behavior to death from heart disease and other causes, with life expectancy increasing by two years if adults reduced their sitting time to three hours per day. Individuals who exercise regularly but are still sedentary for several hours a day may be at greater risk for adverse health outcomes than their physical activity levels might suggest.

The findings are detailed in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.

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