Amid an increasing number of cancer cases among adults in the United States, current research signifies that nearly 40% of all cases, and almost half of cancer-related demises, could be avoided through lifestyle changes.
Smoking Is the Top Cancer Risk Factor
Issued by the American Cancer Society, the research investigated 30 types of cancer and 18 modifiable danger factors, including smoking and body weight. Cigarette smoking arose as the top danger factor, accounting for nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of demises.
Analyzing data from 2019, the study connected lifestyle factors to over 700,000 new cancer cases and more than 262,000 demises among adults aged 30 and older. In 2021, the latest available statistics showed nearly 1.8 million new cancer cases recorded in the U.S.
The current study shows that weight loss and diabetes treatments like Ozempic and Wegovy can essentially lessen the danger of certain cancers.
Dr. Marcus Plescia highlighted that obesity is now as intensely a danger determinant as smoking and emphasized the significance of addressing behavioral dangers such as giving up smoking, eating well, and exercising to enhance chronic disease outcomes, including cancer. He also called for policymakers to generate supportive surroundings for healthy options, especially in disadvantaged communities.
With increasing early-onset cancer rates in the U.S., building healthy routines early is important, but it's never too late to make positive changes. Experts allow that lifestyle adjustments can swiftly lower cancer danger, emphasizing that cancer is an ongoing difficulty that can be managed daily.
7 Major Cancer Risk Factors Revealed in the Study
- Smoking: The research emphasized that both current and former smokers, as well as those susceptible to secondhand smoke, face raised cancer dangers. Smoking is connected to numerous cancers, including lung, mouth, and bladder. Quitting smoking can essentially lessen the danger of these cancers over time.
- Body Weight: Being overweight increases the danger of 13 cancer types, accounting for 40% of annual cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Strategies like walking can assist in maintaining weight, and higher body weight corresponds with a greater cancer danger.
- Alcohol Use: Rising study difficulties the notion of moderate drinking as advantageous. For females, moderate drinking is characterized as up to seven servings per week; for men, it's up to 14. Heavy drinking is essentially higher.
- Poor Diet: A diet high in red and processed meats, with inadequate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, raises cancer danger. The USDA encourages a balanced consumption of numerous protein sources and restricted added sugars and fats.
- Lack of Exercise: Stagnation is another contributor to cancer danger. Adults are recommended to participate in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-severity activity weekly, alongside muscle-strengthening workouts.
- Missing Cancer Screenings: Frequent screenings and doctor appointments are significant for cancer avoidance. Females should begin mammograms at age 40, and colorectal cancer screenings should start at 45. Skin cancer self-exams and dermatologist check-ups are also suggested.
- Sun Exposure: Constant sunscreen use can decrease the danger of melanoma by about 70% and also safeguard against skin aging. It's suggested to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applying it every two hours when outdoors.
These discoveries emphasize the significance of lifestyle changes in lessening cancer danger.
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