Thirty-three percent of common cancers possibly preventable
As authored by M. Hitti, in WebMD Health News, Feb. 26, 2009, roughly a third of common adult cancers may be preventable in the U.S. — and that doesn’t even count cancers that could be prevented by not smoking.
According to a new report from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and its sister organization, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). The WCRF and AICR estimate that, in the U.S., eating a nutritious diet, being physically active, and keeping body fat under control may prevent:
* 38% of breast cancers
* 45% of colorectal cancers
* 36% of lung cancers
* 39% of pancreatic cancers
* 47% of stomach cancers
* 69% of esophageal cancers
* 63% of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, or larynx
* 70% of endometrial cancers
* 24% of kidney cancers
* 21% of gallbladder cancers
* 15% of liver cancers
* 11% of prostate cancers
Diet, physical activity, and limiting body fat could prevent 34% of those 12 cancers overall in the U.S., and 24% of all cancers, according to the report.
The WCRF/AICR report also includes tips for governments, industries, school, media, and other institutions worldwide to promote healthy lifestyles. Those recommendations include:
* New developments should be designed to encourage walking and cycling.
* Government and school cafeterias should provide healthy foods and drinks.
* Food and drink industries should price healthy fare competitively with other products and stop promoting sugary drinks and unhealthy foods to kids.
* Workplaces should have policies and environments that are supportive of breastfeeding.
* Media should promote cancer prevention and flag misleading cancer claims.
This guidance is in line with the American Cancer Society’s recommendations for community action according to Colleen Doyle, the American Cancer Society’s director of nutrition and physical activity, in an American Cancer Society statement. “Reversing the obesity epidemic will require bold action and multiple strategies, including policy changes at national, state, and local levels that make it easier for people to eat better and be more active,” Doyle states.
The WCRF/AICR, has previously published cancer prevention tips for individuals, and noting that cancer prevention noting that from their perspective, cancer prevention equates to lessening the odds of developing cancer.
A healthy lifestyle doesn’t wipe out cancer risk, but there is no is downside to living in a healthy manner. Moreover, early detection is often markedly helpful in treating cancer when it occurs, suggesting that you do not leave your doctor from your health care plan.
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