With cancer – in all of its forms – being incredibly prevalent these days, it seems there is little to do about prevention. Many everyday products, environmental toxins, food and beverage options, and other items can lead to malignancies, making cancer development difficult to avoid. However, new research suggests that lifestyle changes have the potential to significantly reduce risk of many of these, offering a glimmer of hope amid the never-ending battle.A new study, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians by the American Cancer Society (ACS), found that nearly half of all cancer deaths in the United States might be preventable through lifestyle changes. Specifically, 40% of cancer cases and 44% of cancer deaths in adults over the age of 30 have been linked to lifestyle factors that, when altered to be more positive, may be prevented entirely. This is much-welcomed news as the nation, and the world, continue attempts to fend off the growing number of cancers affecting just about every part of the human body.The study analyzed data from 2019, focusing on 30 types of cancer and 18 risk factors that can be influenced substantially by lifestyle choices, focusing on poor choices such as improper diets, smoking, alcohol consumption, living a sedentary lifestyle, getting too much sun or purchasing tanning packages, being overweight (particularly without a known medical cause), and missed cancer screenings.

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Ultimately, cigarette smoking, they found, was the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of cancer deaths. There has been an uptick in lung cancer cases, in general, as of late, and this form of cancer is one of the deadliest. However, smoking has also been linked to a number of other cancers, especially those associated with the head, neck, and throat areas.Dr. Nelly Awkar-Lazo, a hematologist and oncologist at The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation, explained that cancer develops from “damage to cellular DNA.” While some DNA damage is due to genetic and environmental factors, modifiable risk factors play a significant role. For instance, smoking introduces over 50 carcinogenic chemicals into the body, increasing the risk of various cancers. Similarly, a diet high in red and processed meats has been linked to cancer due to carcinogens and heme iron, whereas a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can actually help prevent cancer.Excessive drinking has been associated with cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, colorectal and breast areas, and others. Ethanol and acetaldehyde, the byproducts of alcohol metabolism, are known carcinogens. Additionally, physical inactivity and obesity are closely related to higher risks of several cancers, including bladder, breast, colon, and uterine cancers, to name a few. Dr. Awkar-Lazo notes that while the exact mechanism of obesity-induced cancer risk is still unknown, inflammation caused by excess body fat is likely the biggest contributor.The sun has long been known to be carcinogen when under its rays for too long, and the findings of a recent Yahoo! News/YouGov survey were shocking. Conducted from May 10 to 13 of this year, this revealed that 80% of the 1,794 participants believed protecting their skin from the sun’s potentially dangerous rays is “important,” yet they’re still skimping on sunscreen use. Excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, from both the sun and tanning beds, directly damages cellular DNA and is a primary cause of skin cancer. Applying sunscreen and skipping indoor tanning sessions can greatly reduce one’s risk.Other simply lifestyle changes, as mentioned above, include eating a well-balanced diet full of nutrients, especially by way of fruits and vegetables, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and getting regular physical activity. These are easy fixes that can go a very long way to protecting one’s health.

Sources:

Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States, 2019

Almost 50% of Cancer Deaths in US May Be Preventable, Study Finds

Nearly Half of Cancer Cases Are Linked to Modifiable Risk Factors, Study FindsSurvey Reveals Knowledge of Sun's Dangers but Limited Sunscreen Use