Half of All Cancer Deaths in US Preventable: Study Identifies Leading Risk Factors and Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Risk

Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio United States of America
Cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths.
Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent many types of cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of various types of cancer.
Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent many types of cancer.
Missing recommended cancer screenings can increase the risk of developing and dying from certain types of cancer.
Nearly half of all adult cancer deaths in the US could be prevented through lifestyle changes.
Half of All Cancer Deaths in US Preventable: Study Identifies Leading Risk Factors and Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Risk

July 16, 2024

According to a recent study by the American Cancer Society, nearly half of all adult cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented through lifestyle changes. The study identified several risk factors that contribute significantly to cancer cases and deaths.

One of the leading risk factors is cigarette smoking, which was responsible for nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths. Avoiding smoking is the most effective way to reduce this risk.

Excessive body weight was another major contributor to cancer cases and deaths, accounting for about 7.6% of all cases and one-half of all deaths. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help prevent many types of cancer.

Excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risk of various types of cancer, including liver, breast, colon, and rectal cancers. Moderation in alcohol intake is recommended to reduce this risk.

Poor diet, particularly a lack of fruits and vegetables, was another significant risk factor for cancer. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent many types of cancer.

Missing recommended cancer screenings can also increase the risk of developing and dying from certain types of cancer. Regular screenings are essential for early detection and treatment.

Other lifestyle factors that contribute to an increased risk of cancer include lack of physical activity, sun exposure, and secondhand smoke exposure. Making lifestyle changes in these areas can help reduce the risk of cancer.

The study also found that hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), skin melanomas, anus cancer, larynx cancer, esophagus cancer, oral cavity cancer, and cervical cancer had the highest proportion of cases attributable to avoidable risk factors.

It's important to note that genetics and vaccines also play a role in the development of some cancers. Regular screenings and early detection are crucial for effective treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine cancer screenings, leading to a decrease in their frequency. As routine screening resumes, it's essential to prioritize these appointments to ensure early detection and treatment.



Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are there any other significant lifestyle factors not mentioned in the study?
  • Is the percentage of preventable cancer deaths accurate?

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • About 40% of cancer cases and one-half of all cancer deaths in the US could be linked to avoidable risk factors according to a new American Cancer Society study.
    • Cigarette smoking was the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths.
    • Excess body weight had the second largest proportion of cancer cases attributable to avoidable risk factors (7.6%).
    • Skin melanomas (92.2%) and cancers of the anus (94.2%), larynx (89.9%), lungs (88.2%), esophagus (85.4%)
    • Cancer cases attributable to avoidable risk factors ranged from 100% for cervical cancer to 4.9% for ovarian cancer.
  • Accuracy
    • ]About 40% of cancer cases and one-half of all cancer deaths in the US could be linked to avoidable risk factors according to a new American Cancer Society study.[
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • Avoiding smoking reduces cancer risk by nearly half.
    • Excessive drinking increases cancer risk.
    • Being dangerously overweight increases cancer risk.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

88%

  • Unique Points
    • Being overweight increases a person’s risk of getting 13 types of cancer.
    • Heavy drinking increases a person’s risk of getting various types of cancer.
    • A poor diet, including lack of fruits and vegetables, can increase a person’s risk of cancer.
    • Missing recommended cancer screenings can increase the risk of developing and dying from certain types of cancer.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article makes several statements that could be considered deceptive according to the analysis rules. The author uses emotional manipulation by implying that readers can prevent nearly half of all adult cancer deaths in the US through lifestyle changes. This is a sensational claim and an exaggeration of the findings from the study, which only found that around 40% of all cases and nearly half of deaths could be prevented. The author also uses selective reporting by focusing on these statistics while omitting information about other risk factors not related to lifestyle choices, such as genetics or environmental factors. Additionally, the article makes several references to sources without directly quoting them or providing clear attribution, which is a violation of the ignore rules.
    • Smoking is associated with around one dozen types of cancer
    • The study looked at data from 2019 and found that lifestyle factors were linked to more than 700,000 new cancer cases and more than 262,000 deaths among adults age 30 and older.
    • Nearly half of adult cancer deaths in the US could be prevented
    • Being overweight increases a person's risk of getting 13 types of cancer
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

  • Unique Points
    • Hepatitis C, a virus that causes liver cancer, is curable with an eight to twelve week pill but only about 40% of Americans are aware they have it
    • Routine screenings disrupted during COVID-19 pandemic
  • Accuracy
    • Smoking causes 30% of cancer deaths attributable to modifiable lifestyle risks
    • About 40% of cancer cases and one-half of all cancer deaths in the US could be linked to avoidable risk factors
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of lifestyle choices. However, no formal fallacies were found.
    • ] In the American Cancer Society study...
    • ] Want to do what you can to reduce your risk of cancer? A new study is pointing to some specific actions you can take...
    • CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook said this study is a good lesson in moderation.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication