In a report by the American Cancer Society (ACS), researchers have identified that up to half of cancer deaths in the United States could potentially be prevented through lifestyle modifications.
The study, which has been published in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians on July 11, scrutinizes the impact of modifiable risk factors in causing 30 types of cancers among adults over the age of 30.
The report reveals startling figures: approximately 40% of cancer cases and half of cancer-related deaths are preventable. It highlights the role of several lifestyle factors including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, excess body weight, poor dietary choices, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and certain viral infections.
Cigarette smoking emerges as the most significant preventable risk factor, accounting for 30% of cancer deaths and nearly 20% of cancer cases.
Following smoking, excess body weight, UV radiation, and lack of physical activity are listed as major contributing factors. The findings highlight the critical need for enhanced prevention and early detection strategies to manage the cancer burden effectively.
Dr. Farhad Islami, the senior scientific director of cancer disparity research at ACS and the lead author of the study, commented on the study in an email to Fox News Digital.
“A large number of cancer cases and deaths in the United States are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, indicating the potential to substantially reduce the cancer burden through prevention,” said Islami.
Furthermore, Dr. Ernest Hawk, head of cancer prevention and population sciences at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study, echoed the significance of the findings.
“Treatment is always necessary and critically important for those who need it, but we should place a greater priority on personal and societal actions to reduce risks and prevent cancer as our first approach,” Hawk told Fox News Digital.
The ACS report outlines five primary lifestyle changes to help reduce cancer risk:
- Stop Smoking: Tobacco is linked to 55% of cancer cases in men and 40% in women.
- Maintain a Healthy Body Weight: Emerging treatments and traditional approaches like diet and exercise can help manage weight and potentially reduce cancer risk.
- Healthier Dietary Choices: A diet rich in antioxidants and low in ultra-processed foods can decrease the risk of many cancers.
- Eliminate Alcohol Intake: Increased awareness and institutional commitment are needed to address the cancer risks associated with alcohol.
- Get Recommended Screenings: Early detection through screenings and new technologies like multi-cancer detection tests could transform cancer prevention and treatment.
The report calls for individual action and concerted efforts from public, private, and community organizations at local, state, and national levels. It is a call to action for more serious engagement with preventative health strategies, which in turn promotes broader health and wellness.
As the American population ages, understanding and integrating these preventative measures can play a crucial role in reducing the overall burden of cancer.