Leading a healthier lifestyle can help prevent many types of cancer, according to findings published today in the journal Cancer
Post Date – 11:59 PM, Tue – 6/13/23
Washington: Researchers found that people who followed global cancer prevention recommendations were less likely to develop the disease.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cancer. Experts from Newcastle University examined the evidence for people following the 2018 lifestyle recommendations from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
Leading a healthier lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating less processed meats such as red meat and bacon, can help prevent many types of cancer, according to findings published today in the journal Cancer.
About 40% of cancers are associated with modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, poor diet and alcohol consumption, suggesting that many cancers are preventable.
The scientists found that a 1-point increase in the score used to assess adherence to these cancer prevention recommendations was associated with a 12 percent lower risk of bowel cancer, an 11 percent lower risk of breast cancer, and an 8 percent lower risk of lung cancer.
Dr Fiona Malcomson, Lecturer in Human Nutrition at the Center for Human Nutrition and Exercise Research at Newcastle University, is a co-author of the study.
She said: “This is the first study to review the evidence to date on the impact of following the latest edition of the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research cancer prevention recommendations, and the risk of developing cancer.
“Our findings are exciting because they provide further evidence of some of the best ways to
Reduces the risk of cancer, especially breast, bowel and lung cancers.
“People can reduce their risk of certain cancers by following these recommendations, and we recommend that people follow them as closely as possible.
“For some cancers, the evidence for the influence of lifestyle factors is stronger. For example, high consumption of red and processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer, while alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers such as breast, bowel and esophagus .”
However, there are other unmodifiable factors, such as family history of cancer and environmental exposures, that also affect a person’s risk of developing the disease.
The scientists performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 published studies investigating the association between adherence to the 2018 recommendations and the incidence of different cancers.
The suggestion is:
Maintain a healthy weight Get more exercise Eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes Limit “fast food” and other processed foods high in fat, starch, or sugar Limit red and processed meat Limit sugary sweets Beverages Limit alcohol consumption Do not use supplements for mothers to prevent cancer If you can, breastfeed your baby After a cancer diagnosis: Follow WCRF/AICR recommendations if you can WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations are the conclusions of an independent panel of experts – they represent A range of healthy lifestyle choices that together affect a person’s likelihood of developing cancer.
