Colon cancer cases are increasing among younger adults, and prolonged sitting may be one of the overlooked reasons behind the trend, according to Dr. Priyam Bordoloi. In a post on X, the doctor highlighted that while genetics often gets the blame, medical evidence increasingly points to a common modern habit—spending most of the day sitting—as a significant independent risk factor. He also stressed that a 45-minute gym workout cannot fully offset the health effects of sitting for long hours.
What is causing the rise in colon cancer among younger adults?
In his post, Dr. Bordoloi posed a multiple-choice question asking what the "actual culprit" behind the increasing cases of colon cancer in adults in their 30s could be:
- Eating spicy food
- Sitting most of the day
- Sleeping less than five hours
- Daily coffee
According to the doctor, prolonged sitting is the correct answer.
He noted that many people find it hard to believe that an everyday activity such as sitting could contribute to cancer risk. However, he said growing medical evidence suggests that extended sedentary behavior has emerged as a strong, independent risk factor for colon cancer, particularly among adults in their 30s and 40s.
How prolonged sitting affects colon health
Dr. Bordoloi explained that spending around 10 hours a day seated at a desk or in front of a screen slows down gut motility—the movement of food and waste through the digestive system.
When gut motility decreases, waste remains in the colon for longer periods. According to the doctor, this means natural toxins in the waste stay in contact with the colon lining for an extended time, potentially causing continuous irritation to the cells.
