Half of US Adult Cancer Cases and Deaths Preventable: Smoking, Obesity, Alcohol, Inactivity, UV Radiation

New York, New York, New York United States of America
Alcohol consumption was responsible for 5.4% of all potentially preventable cancers in the US.
Excess body weight was the second leading cause, contributing to about 7.6% of all potentially preventable cancers.
Physical inactivity was linked to 3.1% of all potentially preventable cancers.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable cancer cases and deaths in the US, contributing to approximately 56% of all cancers in men and 39.9% in women.
UV radiation exposure from the sun contributed to 4.6% of all potentially preventable cancers in the US.
Half of US Adult Cancer Cases and Deaths Preventable: Smoking, Obesity, Alcohol, Inactivity, UV Radiation

According to recent studies published by the American Cancer Society, nearly half of adult cancer cases and deaths in the United States could be prevented through lifestyle changes. The leading causes of preventable cancers include smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and UV radiation exposure. Let's take a closer look at each factor and its impact on cancer risk.

Smoking: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable cancer cases and deaths in the US. In 2019 alone, smoking contributed to approximately 56% of all cancers in men and 39.9% in women, resulting in nearly 19.3% of all cancer cases and almost 30% of cancer deaths.

Excess Body Weight: Excess body weight was the second leading cause, contributing to about 7.6% of all potentially preventable cancers. Obesity is linked to an increased risk for various types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, uterine, esophageal, kidney and pancreatic cancer.

Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption was responsible for 5.4% of all potentially preventable cancers in the US. It is a known risk factor for several types of cancer such as oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, colorectum, female breast, esophagus (squamous cell carcinoma), and liver (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Physical Inactivity: Physical inactivity was linked to 3.1% of all potentially preventable cancers. Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the immune system.

UV Radiation Exposure: UV radiation exposure from the sun contributed to 4.6% of all potentially preventable cancers in the US. It is a major risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma.

To reduce your risk of developing preventable cancers, consider making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, limiting alcohol consumption or avoiding it altogether, engaging in regular physical activity and protecting yourself from excessive UV radiation exposure. By doing so, you could potentially avoid 40% of adult cancer cases and nearly half of all cancer deaths.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Nearly half of adult cancer deaths in the US could be prevented by making lifestyle changes, study finds

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Deidre McPhillips Thursday, 11 July 2024 14:01
  • Unique Points
    • About 40% of new cancer cases and nearly half of deaths among adults ages 30 and older in the US could be attributed to preventable risk factors.
    • Excess body weight was the second largest contributor to cancer cases, linked to about 5% of new cases in men and nearly 11% of cases in women. It was associated with more than a third of deaths from certain types of cancer.
    • Quitting smoking, eating well and exercising can make a dramatic difference in the rates and outcomes of chronic diseases like cancer.
  • Accuracy
    • , Smoking was the leading risk factor for cancer, contributing to nearly 1 in 5 cases and nearly a third of deaths.
    • , Excess body weight was the second largest contributor to cancer cases, linked to about 5% of new cases in men and nearly 11% of cases in women. It was associated with more than a third of deaths from certain types of cancer.
    • , Lung cancer had the largest number of cases attributable to modifiable risk factors, with over 104,000 cases among men and 97,000 among women. The vast majority were linked to smoking.
    • , Obesity is emerging as a significant risk factor for cancer. It was associated with more than a third of deaths from certain types of cancer.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It does not contain any formal logical fallacies. The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Dr. Arif Kamal and Dr. Marcus Plescia for expert opinions on the subject matter.
    • . . . these lifestyle factors were linked to more than 700,000 new cancer cases and more than 262,000 deaths, the study found.
    • Smoking was the leading risk factor by far, the study found, contributing to nearly 1 in 5 cancer cases and nearly a third of cancer deaths.
    • Certain cancers are more preventable than others . . .
  • 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%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

40% of cancer cases linked to bad behavior — here are the major culprits

New York Post Tracy Swartz Thursday, 11 July 2024 14:05
  • Unique Points
    • In 2019, 1.78 million cancer cases and 595,700 cancer deaths were recorded among Americans aged 30 and older.
    • Smoking was responsible for 19.3% of all cancer cases in 2019.
    • In men, smoking contributed to 56% of cancers.
    • In women, smoking contributed to 39.9% of cancers.
  • Accuracy
    • 19.3% of all cancer cases in 2019 were caused by smoking in the first article, while other articles report that smoking contributed to nearly 1 in 5 cases and nearly a third of deaths.
    • Excess body weight was responsible for 7.6% of all cancer cases in the first article, but other articles report that it was linked to about 5% of new cases in men and nearly 11% of cases in women.
    • Alcohol was responsible for 5.4% of all cancer cases in the first article, while other articles report that alcohol came in third with 5% of cases and more than a quarter of certain types' deaths were attributable to drinking.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also presents some statistics in a dichotomous manner.
    • . . . the American Cancer Society (ACS) warns in new research.
    • Dr. Farhad Islami, who penned the Thursday report, said he was “alarmed” that more than 169,800 Americans died in 2019 from smoking.
    • The researchers focused on 30 types of cancer to estimate how many cases and deaths were due to risky behavior.
    • The ACS findings were published Thursday in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
  • 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

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Alcohol is driving a half-dozen types of cancer in the U.S., study finds

STAT News Isabella Cueto Thursday, 11 July 2024 14:00
  • Unique Points
    • In all, about 24,000 cancer deaths and 95,000 cases were attributable to alcohol consumption annually.
    • Alcohol was associated with seven cancers: oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, colorectum, female breast, esophagus (squamous cell carcinoma), and liver (hepatocellular carcinoma).
    • Reducing drinking levels can bring down the risk of related cancers. If every person in the US who drinks stayed within dietary guidelines, about 80% of all alcohol-related cancer deaths could be prevented.
  • Accuracy
    • Alcohol came in third with 5% of cases in men and women over 30 attributable to drinking.
    • Research suggests the higher a person’s consumption of alcohol, the higher their risk of cancer.
    • Female breast cancer was the most common type with cases attributable to alcohol, with about 44,000 cases in 2019 alone linked to drinking.
    • Colorectal cancers had about 18,000 cases tied to drinking in men and women combined.
    • Men’s share of alcohol-attributable liver cancer cases was three times higher than women’s (23% versus 8%).
    • Women had a higher percentage of alcohol-attributable oral cavity, esophageal, and pharyngeal cancers (25%) compared to men (17%)
    • Over a quarter of larynx cancer deaths were attributable to drinking.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes several statements in the article that are factual and do not contain any logical fallacies. However, there are a few instances where the author uses inflammatory rhetoric to emphasize the importance of her message. For example, she states that 'experts alarmed' about the rising tide of disease and death associated with drinking, especially among women and younger people. This statement is an appeal to emotion and can be considered a form of informal fallacy. However, it does not significantly impact the overall accuracy or validity of the article. The author also provides clear evidence from studies to support her claims about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, making it difficult to assign a low score based on fallacies alone.
    • ]Experts alarmed[
  • Bias (95%)
    The author uses strong language to emphasize the significance of alcohol as a cause of cancer, stating that 'alcohol came in third' and 'about half of all oral cavity and pharynx cancers in men' were due to alcohol. She also mentions that 'even relatively low amounts of drinking might carry certain risks'. These statements could be perceived as biased towards portraying alcohol as a major cause of cancer, potentially alarming readers.
    • about half of all oral cavity and pharynx cancers in men were due to alcohol
      • alcohol came in third
        • even relatively low amounts of drinking might carry certain risks
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        92%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        HALF of all cancers are caused by six lifestyle factors, study finds - how many are YOU guilty of?

        Daily Mail Maiya Focht Thursday, 11 July 2024 14:40
        • Unique Points
          • Almost half of America's cancer deaths can be attributed to six lifestyle factors: smoking cigarettes, being overweight, using alcohol, being inactive, eating a poor diet and getting too much sun.
          • Cigarette smoking was the biggest contributor to American cancer cases and deaths in 2019.
          • Excess body weight was responsible for 135,910 new cases and 43,520 deaths in people over 30 in 2019.
        • Accuracy
          • Nineteen percent of new diagnoses (344,070 people) were attributable to cigarette smoking.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (75%)
          The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority, but no formal fallacies were found. The author emphasizes the severity of the cancer problem in America and quotes experts for support. The language used is sensationalist but not misleading in a formally incorrect way.
          • The number of lung cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in the United States is alarming
          • Cigarette smoking was the biggest contributor to cancer cases and deaths in 2019, the year that ACS studied. Other risk factors included alcohol use, nutrition, physical activity and infections, like HPV
          • The authors didn't define excess body weight, but it's likely that they were relying on body mass index
        • Bias (95%)
          The author does not demonstrate any clear bias in the article. However, there is a disproportionate number of quotes that reflect the importance of avoiding certain lifestyle factors to reduce cancer risk. This includes smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and poor diet.
          • Cigarette smoking was the biggest contributor to cancer cases and deaths in 2019.
            • Excess body weight could encompass people in both the overweight and obese categories.
              • Roughly seven in ten Americans are obese or overweight.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              96%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Half of US Cancer Deaths Avoidable, 'Alarming' Study Says

              Newsweek LLC Pandora Dewan Thursday, 11 July 2024 14:00
              • Unique Points
                • Four in 10 adult cancer cases in the US may be due to modifiable risk factors.
                • In 2019, approximately 713,340 cancer cases and 262,120 cancer deaths in US adults over 30 could have been attributed to modifiable risk factors and therefore avoided.
                • Cigarette smoking was the leading cause of potentially preventable cancers in men (56%) and women (39.9%).
                • Excess body weight contributed to 7.6% of all potentially preventable cancers.
                • Alcohol consumption contributed to 5.4% of all potentially preventable cancers.
                • UV radiation contributed to 4.6% of all potentially preventable cancers.
                • 100% of cervical cancer cases, 80% of melanomas, and 99% of lung cancers were potentially avoidable.
              • Accuracy
                • Smoking was the leading cause of potentially preventable cancers in men (56%) and women (39.9%).
              • Deception (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Fallacies (85%)
                The article reports on a study that found half of all adult cancer deaths in the US could be avoided by changing modifiable risk factors. The author does not commit any formal logical fallacies but does present an alarming statistic without providing context for how common avoidable cancer deaths already were before this study, which may mislead readers into thinking the issue is more severe than it is. Additionally, there's a slight exaggeration in describing the findings as 'alarming', which could be seen as an appeal to emotion. The author also quotes experts without committing any fallacies itself.
                • . Four in 10 cancer cases and half of all adult cancer deaths in the United States could be avoided, new research indicates.
                • The team used nationally representative data to assess the proportion of cancer cases and deaths that were attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors...
                • Cigarette smoking was by far the worst culprit, contributing to 56 percent of all potentially preventable cancers in men and 39.9 percent in women.
              • 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