Marco Julian Serrano Research suggests that simple lifestyle adjustments could greatly decrease cancer cases and deaths. Research from the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that almost half of US cancer cases and deaths in those over 30 may be due to changeable risk aspects.
Important Facts
- Almost 20% of cancer cases and 30% of deaths come from smoking.
- Obesity, drinking alcohol, exposure to UV rays, and lack of exercise also play a large part.
- Certain infections, such as HPV and hepatitis C, are a key aspect.
About the Study
The ACS analysed 2019 data, published in CA, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, about these risk factors. Factors like smoking (current and past), secondhand smoke exposure, body weight, lack of physical activity, drinking alcohol, eating habits, UV radiation exposure, and infections like HPV were examined.
Smoking – Dr. Farhad Islami, the lead author, noted cigarette smoking led to 56% of preventable cancers in men and about 40% in women. He suggests that efforts to further decrease smoking are necessary.
Primary Modifiable Risk Factors
The main modifiable risk factors after smoking are,
- Obesity
- Drinking alcohol
- UV radiation exposure
- Lack of physical activity
Preventive methods to reduce exposure to these factors, such as limiting UV rays by avoiding the sun, using protective clothing, or sunscreen, should be used consistently.
Cancer Risks from Alcohol
The ACS and the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that about 5% of cancer cases in people over 30 are due to drinking alcohol. The studies revealed that alcohol causes seven cancers. Also, the more a person consumes alcohol, the greater the cancer risk, regardless of the type of drink.
Suggested Lifestyle Changes
To decrease cancer risk, experts suggest several lifestyle changes,
- Quit smoking as it stems from about half of cancers in men and women.
- Keep a healthy body weight to reduce risk as obesity can cause many types of cancer.
- Reduce drinking alcohol as even a small amount raises cancer risk.
- Maintain a healthy diet and avoid processed food to lower cancer risk.
- Regular screenings can aid in early detection and treatment, enhancing outcomes.
Cancer and Modifiable Risks
The study showed that the examined risk factors could be related to over 50% of 19 out of 30 cancer types. Notable is that all cases of cervical cancer and Kaposi sarcoma, over 80% of skin melanoma, and 88.2% of lung cancer cases were related to these factors.
Highlighting Education
Dr. Nilesh Vora, a medical oncologist, stresses the need for educating the public and healthcare practitioners about these risk factors. He suggested that modifying these risk factors could help prevent cancer.
Actions at Social and Policy Levels
According to Islami, control policies against smoking and preventative healthcare measures at the community level are needed. He also spoke of the necessity for wide reaching activities to increase awareness and allow fair access to preventative healthcare.
Experts unite in the opinion that joining individual changes with larger public efforts could significantly decrease cancer rates and deaths, with actions like providing shaded public areas to limit UV exposure or encouraging regular exercise through community programs.
Summary
Research shows that lifestyle choices greatly affect cancer risk. Making smart choices and cultivating healthier practices can notably diminish the likelihood of getting cancer. This highlights the need for ongoing education and preventive methods to reduce cancer rates while improving public health significantly.
