40% of Common Cancers Are Avoidable

Published on Monday, 12 December 2011 13:01

	By Raj Bilkhu Follow @Journo_Raj

One person is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes in the UK. Yet, new research reveals that most of these cancers are caused by smoking, obesity, alcohol and unhealthy eating.

Scientists have found that these lifestyle factors cause a third of cancer cases in the UK. The figure increases to 134,000 cancer cases, or 40% of all cases, if all lifestyle and environmental risks analysed in the study are considered.

Cancer Research UK has revealed these shocking findings, which confirm that a healthy lifestyle will significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer.

The study was headed by Professor Max Parkin and is the most comprehensive investigation to date of the relationship between cancer and lifestyle.

Professor Parkin, who is a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London, says “many people believe cancer is down to fate or “in the genes”...It’s clear that around 40% of cancers are caused by things we mostly have the power to change.”

“The risk factors we looked at are those where we can imagine that change is possible.”

The following fourteen factors were analysed in the study:

1. Tobacco is the biggest contributor to cancers such as lung cancer. It causes 5% of all cancers in the UK. This is despite the fact that there are significantly fewer smokers since three decades earlier.

2. Excess weight is the second biggest cause of all cancers in the UK. However, studies have revealed that as little as 3% of people consider obesity as a key contributory factor to cancer.

3. Five portions of fruit and vegetables a day are high on the list of vitals to avoid cancer because they contain essential minerals, vitamins and fibre. Supplements are not always a good substitute and could also be harmful.

4. Drinking alcohol is not necessary damaging to the body but drinking in excess can lead to cancers such as breast and bowel cancer.

5. Some people are more at risk of cancer because of certain chemical or substance exposure used in their occupation. However, safer work practices can limit the impact of this exposure.

6. The risk of sunlight and sunbeds have been highly publicised yet the rate of skin cancer is rising rapidly. UV light exposure can be caused by both sunlight and tanning beds, which is the biggest cause of skin cancer.

7. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is an infection behind the majority of cancers in the UK. Such infections cause stomach and cervical cancer.

8. Red and processed meat, such as bacon, sausages and salami, should be limited for a healthy diet and consumed up to twice a week.

9. The world naturally exposes us to radiation. However, exposure could be increased by travelling on aeroplanes and taking x-rays.

10. Maintaining a high-fibre diet not only aids digestion but can dilute cancer-causing chemicals in food. This helps to flush out waste foods from the digestive system efficiently and prevents chemicals from staying near the bowel wall for long.

11. Exercise is the ideal partner to a healthy diet. Lack of physical activity could not only add pounds to the waistline but increase the risk of cancer. Staying active by exercising for half-an-hour, five days a week is beneficial.

12. Breast feeding has traditionally been considered the healthiest source of nutrition for a baby. Research shows it has the added benefit of reducing the risk of cancer. If possible, a new mum should maintain breast feeding for six months.

13. Eating high quantities of salt is proven to cause heart disease. It also contributes to some cancers such as stomach cancer.

14. Some women suffering from menopausal symptoms take up hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can increase the risk of cancer.

The study will continue to shed light on cancer causes, says Professor Parkin; “In the next month or two we will produce an addition to this looking at the number of deaths caused by cancer.”

The research has proven that lifestyle and environmental choices can influence the risk of developing cancer. Considering these fourteen factors, the risk could be significantly reduced and possibly avoided altogether.

Relevant Links

Nearly Half of Cancers Preventable (Sky News Video)

Coffee Lovers At Lower Risk Of Developing Cancer

Cancer Research UK