Can we decrease our chances of getting cancer?
A recently published study by researchers at the American Cancer Society found that in adults 30 years and older roughly 40% of cancers and 44% of deaths from cancer can be attributed to elevated risk factors that can be modified. This could hopefully lead to decreasing one’s odds of getting cancer or dying from it by mitigating these risk factors.
The leading factors contributing to increased cancer risk in both sexes in order of significance (highest to lowest) include:
Cigarette smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, UV radiation, physical activity, HPV infection, low fruit and vegetable consumption, processed meat, low dietary fiber, and other important but less significant factors. The significance of these factors differ somewhat between males and females.
Source:
Islami F et al. CA Cancer J Clin 2024