Research Brings Hope to Cancer Survivors 

Research recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Oncology, looked at the relationship between: 

• the life expectancy of cancer survivors
• their level of physical activity after diagnosis
• the number of hours they spend sitting each day

Association of Sitting Time, Physical Activity With Cancer Survival – For The Media – JAMA Network 

 Researchers found that:

• Cancer survivors who sat for less than four hours a day and exercised for 150 minutes or more each week were 5.5 times less likely to die within the time frame of the study. 
• Cancer survivors who sat for 8 or more hours a day and were physically active for less than 150 minutes a week were more likely to die within the time frame of the study. 

Earlier research, that did not target cancer survivors, found that sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are associated with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, inflammation and an early death. Earlier research also indicated that physical activity could help make up for some of the health problems caused by prolonged sitting. 

This most recent study was especially important because it focused specifically on cancer survivors. The results suggest that enough physical activity and limited time spent sitting may be help cancer survivors live longer. More research is needed, but this study points researcher, and cancer survivors, in a hopeful direction.