In the UK, more than 400 people are diagnosed with preventable cancer cases every day, analysis suggests, prompting health experts to urge people to adopt healthier lifestyles.
A total of 387,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2019-20, and 40% of those cases — about 155,000 — could have been prevented, according to analysis of the latest official data from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
The aging population, better screening and better awareness means more people than ever are getting the disease — more than 1,000 a day.
Experts say hundreds of these cases could have been prevented through lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, becoming more active, maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking.
People could also benefit from reducing their consumption of alcohol and red meat while avoiding processed meat altogether, according to the WCRF. People should strive to stay safe in the sun and breastfeed whenever possible, the charity added.
Compared to 2017-18 data, there was an increase of 8,000 preventable cases. “Over the years, research has estimated that approximately 40% of cancers are associated with modifiable risk factors,” said Dr. Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu, research interpretation manager at WCRF. “These risk factors include smoking and limiting sun exposure.
“In addition, research has shown that by following WCRF’s cancer prevention recommendations, individuals can reduce their risk of cancer.
“It’s also important to remember that our population is aging, so we’re likely to see cancer incidence increase in the coming decades. Screening plays a critical role in improving cancer outcomes — the earlier a person is diagnosed, the more likely it is.” he will survive.”
Breast cancer, followed by lung cancer, was most common in the UK, a WCRF analysis found, with more cases of the disease in men than in women. In 2019-20, 166,502 people died from cancer, with more than one in five being attributed to lung cases.
Not all cancers can be prevented, and there are some unchangeable factors that increase risks, such as aging and a family history of the disease.
But healthy lifestyle changes can help. Experts also advise people to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain foods high in fiber and healthy protein, while eating and drinking fewer calories.
NHS England says it is carrying out more cancer checks than ever. However, experts have warned that some patients may not be able to access tests quickly, reinforcing the rationale for taking action to prevent preventable cancers.
The King’s Fund think tank last week pointed to wide disparities in England in how long it took people to get test results, while there was patchy access to screening in some areas.
The impact of the Covid pandemic was still felt nationwide, with less than 60% of cancers diagnosed early, it said.
Separately, Cancer Research UK said quitting smoking would significantly reduce the number of cancers linked to socioeconomic deprivation.
A study published last week in the journal Plos One found that if no one smoked in England, the number of deaths would drop from 27,200 to 16,500.
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