Nearly half of adult cancer deaths could be prevented through lifestyle changes and healthy living, according to a new study from the American Cancer Society. This groundbreaking study reveals the significant impact of modifiable risk factors on cancer development and progression. Research findings indicate that approximately 40% of U.S. adults age 30 and older are at risk for cancer, making it critical to understand the role of lifestyle choices in preventing cancer and promoting overall health.
Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society, emphasized the importance of practical changes in daily life to reduce cancer risk. The study identified several key modifiable risk factors, with smoking emerging as the leading cause of cancer cases and deaths. In fact, smoking alone is responsible for nearly one in five cancer cases and nearly one in three cancer deaths. This highlights the urgent need for smoking cessation initiatives and support for individuals who wish to quit this harmful habit.
In addition to smoking, other major risk factors include being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, poor dietary choices, and infections such as HPV. These findings highlight the interconnectedness of lifestyle factors and their impact on cancer risk. By addressing these modifiable risk factors, individuals can take proactive steps to reduce susceptibility to cancer and improve overall health.
The study, a comprehensive analysis of 18 modifiable risk factors for 30 different types of cancer, reveals the surprising impact of lifestyle choices on cancer incidence and mortality. In 2019 alone, these factors were responsible for more than 700,000 new cancer cases and more than 262,000 deaths. These data highlight the urgent need for widespread education and intervention efforts to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
It is important to realize that cancer occurs as a result of DNA damage or changes in nutrient sources in the body. While genetic and environmental factors also play a role, the study highlights that modifiable risk factors account for a large proportion of cancer cases and deaths. For example, exposure to sunlight can cause DNA damage and increase the risk of skin cancer, while hormones produced by fat cells can provide nutrients for some types of cancer.
Cancer grows because DNA is damaged or has a nutrient source, Kamal said. Other factors, such as genetic or environmental factors, can also contribute to these biological conditions, but modifiable risk explains a larger proportion of cancer cases and deaths than other known factors. For example, exposure to sunlight can damage DNA and cause skin cancer, and fat cells produce hormones that can provide nutrients for some cancers.
“After having cancer, people often feel like they have no control over themselves,” Kamal said. “People will think it’s bad luck or bad genes, but people need a sense of control and agency.”
New research shows that some cancers are easier to prevent than others. But in 19 of the 30 cancers evaluated, more than half of the new cases were caused by modifiable risk factors.
At least 80% of new cases of 10 cancers can be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including more than 90% of melanoma cases linked to ultraviolet radiation and nearly all cases of cervical cancer linked to HPV infection, which can Prevention through vaccines.
Lung cancer is the disease with the largest number of cases caused by modifiable risk factors, with more than 104,000 cases in men and more than 97,000 cases in women, and the vast majority are related to smoking.
After smoking, being overweight is the second leading cause of cancer, accounting for approximately 5% of new cases in men and nearly 11% of new cases in women. New research finds that being overweight is linked to more than a third of deaths from endometrial, gallbladder, esophageal, liver and kidney cancers.
Another recent study found that people who took popular weight loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy had a significantly lower risk of certain cancers.
“In some ways, obesity is as harmful to humans as smoking,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Local Health Officials, who was not involved in the new study but has previously worked on through cancer prevention programs.
Intervening in a range of “core behavioral risk factors” – such as smoking cessation, healthy eating and exercise – can “significantly alter chronic disease incidence and outcomes,” Plessia said. Cancer is one of those chronic diseases, like heart disease or diabetes.
Policymakers and health officials should work to “create an environment that is more convenient for people and makes health an easy choice,” he said. This is especially important for people living in historically disadvantaged communities, where it may not be safe to exercise and stores with healthy foods may not be easily accessible.
As rates of early-onset cancer rise in the U.S., it’s especially important to develop healthy habits early, experts say. Once you start smoking or lose the weight you gain, quitting smoking becomes more difficult.
But “it’s never too late to make these changes,” Plescia said. “Changing (health behaviors) later in life can have profound consequences.”
Experts say lifestyle changes that minimize exposure to certain factors can reduce cancer risk relatively quickly.
“Cancer is a disease that the body fights every day during the process of cell division,” Kamal said. “It’s a risk you face every day, which means reducing it can also benefit you every day.”
The implications of this study are far-reaching because they highlight the potential for preventive action through lifestyle changes. By prioritizing healthy living, weight management, and overall health, individuals can proactively reduce their risk of cancer. This includes eating a balanced and nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Post time: Jul-15-2024
