A new study by the American Cancer Society found that about 40% of cancer cases and nearly half of deaths in people over 30 are due to preventable risk factors. In other words, these symptoms can be prevented by changing your lifestyle.
According to the study, smoking remains the biggest risk factor, causing almost one in five cancer cases and almost one third of cancer deaths. Other factors that account for about 40% of cancer cases and nearly half of cancer deaths in people over 30 include alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet, and infectious diseases. In other words, most cancers are preventable.
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Reducing exposure to vices can prevent cancer
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“Lung cancer is probably the most preventable cancer we know of, as more than 80% of cases are linked to smoking,” said Professor Alona Zell Koch, head of medical oncology at Lambin Hospital’s oncology department. Cases not directly related to smoking are related to second-hand smoke and air pollution, which are also considered preventable factors.
“Adults who don’t smoke have a risk of developing lung cancer of less than 1 in 100, while heavy smokers have a risk of 1 in 3 to 4. This proves the correlation between smoking and lung cancer,” Dr. Zerkoch said. says. “Recently published studies have shown an association between lung cancer and air pollution. The association with second-hand smoke is much more difficult to assess in studies because fewer people report it. In part, non-smokers are caused this way.
She says other risk factors for lung cancer can also be prevented. These risk factors include people who are exposed to smoke at work (such as those who work with engines), people who are exposed to asbestos (such as electricians or those who work on construction sites), and people who work with dust or dust. Includes occupational exposure. Grinding can increase your risk of lung cancer and other respiratory malignancies.
“Smoking not only causes lung cancer but is also a risk factor for other cancers such as those of the nose, mouth, esophagus and bladder,” added Professor Zerkoch. “Of course, there are other cancers that can be prevented, such as skin tumors caused by sun exposure.”
Other risk factors shown in the study were being overweight, alcohol intake, lack of exercise, diet, and infections such as papillomavirus (HPV). Being overweight is thought to be the second leading cause after smoking, and is associated with about 5% of new cases in men and almost 11% in women. Additionally, this factor has been linked to more than one-third of deaths from several types of cancer, including those of the gallbladder, esophagus, liver, and kidneys.
In total, the researchers analyzed 18 modifiable risk factors for 30 types of cancer. Researchers found that these lifestyle factors were associated with more than 700,000 new cancer cases and more than 262,000 deaths in 2019.
Professor Alona Zell Koch, Head of Medical Oncology, Lanvin Hospital Photo: Lanvin Hospital
Research results suggest that some types of cancer are more preventable than others. Nineteen of the 30 risk factors tested contributed to more than half of the new cancer cases. For the 10 cancers investigated in this study, at least 80% of new cases were associated with modifiable risk factors, including more than 90% of melanoma cases related to UV radiation, and almost It turns out that all cervical cancers are associated with HPV infection, which can be prevented by vaccination. .
Professor Zurkoch said: “We believe that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer and also reduces the risk of other malignancies associated with the virus, including anal tumors as well as those of the anus, mouth and pharynx. “I’m doing it,” he said.
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