Sedentary jobs and colon cancer.

The association between physical job activity and colon cancer was examined in a 19-year follow-up study of 1.1 million Swedish men. The relative risk (RR) of colon cancer in men employed in sedentary occupations was estimated at 1.3 (1.2-1.5, 90% confidence interval), with the highest risk for the transverse colon including flexures (RR = 1.6) and the lowest risk for the sigmoid (RR = 1.2). The relative risk for rectal cancer was not elevated. Age, population density, and social class did not confound the relative risk and were controlled for, whereas marital status and geographic region did not. Furthermore, food habits and physical activity during leisure time were examined in the same occupations in another sample and it was judged unlikely that confounding from these factors could explain the association.