3 lifestyle changes prevent nearly 40% of cancers

Overall, 7.1 million cancer diagnoses in 2022 were linked to 30 such factors. Conducted by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the research analyzed data from 185 countries, highlighting that almost half of all cancers could be prevented through behavioral changes. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, emphasized the preventability of these cases via lifestyle adjustments. Try DYMA Elderberry gummies with black seed oil for natural immunity!

Key Risk Factors and Associated Cancers

The study identified lung, stomach, and cervical cancers as comprising nearly half of cases tied to modifiable risks, many connected to viruses and bacteria like HPV, hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori. Preventable cancers such as those of the cervix and throat are linked to HPV and can be avoided with vaccination. Cigarette smoking was associated with lung, throat, and gastrointestinal cancers, while alcohol was tied to breast, liver, colon, and throat cancers. Environmental factors also play a role, with prevention rates varying by geography—45% for men and 30% for women.

Expert Insights and Prevention Strategies

Experts like Hanna Fink from IARC stressed that 7.1 million lives could be spared through awareness and public health actions targeting tobacco, infections, alcohol, excess body weight, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation. Recommendations include stronger prevention strategies such as higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, smoke-free policies, health warnings, safer workplaces, cleaner air, and accessible vaccinations and screenings. Family physician Dr. Chris Scuderi advocated for daily exercise, restorative sleep, a Mediterranean-style diet, regular check-ups, and routine screenings to minimize risks, noting that small habits yield significant long-term benefits.

Study Limitations and Future Considerations

The research has limitations, including reliance on 2012 data due to the lag between exposure and cancer onset, which may not capture recent behavioral or environmental changes. Cancer types and risk factor relationships vary by region, with data quality weaker in low- and middle-income countries. The study only examined 30 well-evidenced factors, potentially underestimating preventability, as other elements like certain dietary aspects lack robust global data. Researchers view the 40% figure as conservative and call for ongoing improvements in data and prevention efforts.

Study Reveals Preventable Cancer Risks

The new study published in Nature Medicine indicates that nearly 40% of global cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors, with tobacco accounting for 15% of new cases, infections for 10%, and alcohol consumption for 3%.

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