The study found that 40% of cancer cases could be prevented by avoiding major risk factors

Research published this week in the journal Nature Medicine determined that nearly 40% of Global cancer cases It is associated with smoking (15% of new cases), infections (10%), and alcohol consumption (3%).

Overall, 7.1 million cancer diagnoses in 2022 were linked to 30 modifiable risk factors, according to the study.

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“The key here is that nearly half of all cancers can be prevented by behavioral changes,” Dr. Mark Siegel, chief medical analyst at Fox News Digital, told Fox News Digital.

The study, conducted by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), analyzed global cancer data from 185 countries and matched it with exposure data to 30 risk factors.

Nearly half of cancer cases could be avoided by ruling out three major risk factors, a new study has revealed. (Istock)

Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of the cases that were associated with modifiable risks, many of which were cancer-related. Viruses and bacteria Such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori (a common bacteria that infects the stomach lining).

“Preventable cervical and throat cancers are directly linked to HPV and can be prevented with the HPV vaccine,” added Siegel, who was not involved in the study.

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Lung cancer, throat cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and many other diseases have been linked to cigarette smoking Alcohol has been associated with The doctor indicated cancer of the breast, liver, colon and throat.

“Environmental factors are also key, and vary by geography – 45% of new cancer cases in men are preventable, and 30% in women,” he said.

Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of the cases associated with modifiable risks. (Istock)

Study author Hannah Fink, of the IARC/WHO Cancer Surveillance Branch, said the key message is that many cancers are preventable.

“Nearly four in 10 new cancer cases worldwide, representing 7.1 million lives that do not need to be changed by a cancer diagnosis, were related to things we can change or modify through awareness and education. Public health measures,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“These things include tobacco smoking, infections, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, air pollution, UV rays and more.”

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“The key here is that approximately half of cancer cases can be prevented by behavioral changes.”

“The study confirms that cancer prevention is effective, and that action is most effective at the population level,” Fink said.

“Governments and communities play a crucial role by facilitating healthy choices, for example, by increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol, Smoke-free policiesClear health warnings, safer workplaces, cleaner air, and affordable access to vaccination and testing. Individuals can support this by advocating for healthier environments and using available preventative services.”

Reducing risks

The AIRC makes the following recommendations to reduce your cancer risk.

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• Don’t smoke, and if you smoke, get help to quit.
• Keep your alcohol intake low At the lowest possible level, because “there is no safe level of alcohol that causes a cancer risk.”
• Aim to achieve a healthy body weight over time by eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity.
• Move more and sit less. Even small amounts of daily movement help.
• Benefit from vaccines especially Vaccination against human papillomavirus Youth and hepatitis B vaccination.

Tobacco was associated with 15% of new cancer cases, making it the largest modifiable risk factor. (Istock)

“As a family physician, I try to help my patients understand how important their daily habits are in reducing their risk of developing cancer in the future,” said Dr. Chris Scuderi, a cancer survivor and family physician based in Florida.

The doctor’s main prevention goals include daily, consistent exercise Restorative sleepA Mediterranean-style diet, regular doctor visits and adequate rest.

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“Small daily victories add up to make a powerful difference over time,” added Scuderi, who was also not involved in the research. “It’s also important to stay on top of your routine checkups, which your family doctor can help you with.”

Potential limitations

The study has some limitations. Researchers often used data from around 2012 because of the long delay between exposure and cancer, meaning the data may not reflect the most recent behaviors or environments.

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“This is a necessary simplification, because in reality, latency can be longer or shorter depending on the cancer and exposure,” Fink noted.

The doctor recommended daily exercise, consistent, restorative sleep, a Mediterranean-style diet, and regular doctor visits and adequate rest to help reduce the risk. (Istock)

Siegel noted that types of cancer vary by geographic region, for example: Stomach cancer It is more prominent in Asia – and relationships between risk factors and cancer prevalence can vary between countries, populations and time periods.

“We rely on the best available data on how common each risk factor is in different countries and how strongly it is associated with cancer, but this data is not perfect and is weaker in some low- and middle-income countries,” Fink said.

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Finally, the study only looked at 30 risk factors with the strongest global evidence and data.

“Our estimate that approximately 40% of cancer cases are preventable is likely a very conservative estimate,” the researcher added. “Some other suspected causes, like some Aspects of dietcannot be included because the science or data are not yet strong enough at the global level.”