Close to 40% cancer deaths can be prevented by simple lifestyle changes, say experts
Cancer, health, lifestyle
WHO estimated close to 8.8 million people to have died of cancer in the year 2015
Simple lifestyle changes can help stave off risks of lifestyle diseases including cancer, notes a study conducted by experts at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia.
Although medical experts have still not been able to zero down the exact cause of cancer, lifestyle factors, genetic disposition and obesity have been termed as some of the most common perpetrators.
WHO estimated close to 8.8 million people to have died of cancer in the year 2015, the number is only escalating every year. Health experts note that minor dietary and lifestyle tweaks may go a long way in preventing us prey to cancer and cutting down its risk significantly.
In the study published in the International Journal of Cancer, experts found the modifiable factors were responsible for 41% of cancer deaths among Australian men and 34% of cancer deaths in women.
“By far the biggest preventable cause of cancer deaths in Australia is tobacco smoke. Cancer caused by smoking and passive smoking killed 9,921 people in 2013 and accounted for 23% of all cancer deaths,” said Professor David Whiteman, head of QIMR Berghofer’s Cancer Control Group.
“Other major factors included poor diet, being overweight or obese, and infections, which each caused about five per cent of all cancer deaths in 2013,” said Whiteman. “Poor diet was responsible for 2,329 deaths from cancer, being overweight or obese for 1,990 deaths, and infections for 1,981 deaths,” he said.
Close to 17,000 cancer deaths can be avoided annually only if people follow accepted guidelines to minimise exposure to risk factors, noted the study.
Ideally, it is imperative to maintain a healthy weight, ditch processed and refine food items, quit smoking and limit alcohol and red meat consumption.
Regular physical activity is also essential along with proper sleep and stress management.
Experts have now started focussing on the trend of prolonged sitting which was also termed as a 'new type of cancer'by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Prolonged sitting has also been linked to triggering a host of ailments.
(With inputs from PTI)