New Study Reveals: 40% of New Cancer Cases in Adults Could Be Prevented
A recent study published by the American Cancer Society estimates that nearly half of adult cancer deaths in the US could be prevented through lifestyle changes. The study found that more than 40% of all cancer cases and half of all cancer deaths among adults aged 30 and older were linked to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, excessive drinking, poor diet, and lack of vaccination.
The most significant preventable risk factor for cancer is smoking. Quitting smoking reduces the risk not only for lung cancer but also for various other types of cancers including oral, breast, and bladder cancers. According to the study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, cigarette smoking was responsible for 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths.
Another preventable risk factor is being overweight or obese. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can decrease the risk of colon, breast, endometrial, kidney, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancers. The study found that excess body weight was responsible for 7.6% of cancer cases and 7.3% of cancer deaths.
Alcohol consumption is another modifiable risk factor linked to an increased risk of various types of cancers including breast, colon, liver, and oral cancers. The American Cancer Society study found that alcohol consumption was responsible for 5.4% of cancer cases and 4.1% of cancer deaths.
Fruits and vegetables consumption is essential for a healthy diet as they provide essential nutrients that help protect against various types of cancers including colon, breast, lung, and oral cancers. The study found that red meat consumption was linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. Eating more fiber also decreases the risk of colon cancer.
Vaccination is another crucial preventive measure against certain types of cancers such as cervical cancer caused by HPV infection. The study found that HPV infection contributed to 100% of cervical cancer cases and deaths in the US that year. However, vaccination rates in the US have stagnated at around 47% since 2019.
The study also highlighted the importance of routine screenings for early detection and prevention of various types of cancers including breast, colon, lung, skin, anal, larynx cancer. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine screenings leading to a decrease in the number of detected cases.
In conclusion, making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, eating more fruits and vegetables while limiting red meat consumption, getting vaccinated against preventable diseases like HPV infection, and undergoing routine cancer screenings can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer Society study emphasizes that these changes can make a significant difference in preventing nearly half of adult cancer deaths.
