UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour - Four in ten cancer deaths could be prevented with healthier lifestyles.

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

As we prepare to make those New Year resolutions and interesting report from the BBC has stated that more than four in 10 cancers that’s 600,000 in the UK alone - could be prevented if people led healthier lives, according to experts. 

Latest figures from Cancer Research UK show that smoking is the biggest avoidable risk factor, closely followed by unhealthy diets and the charity is urging people to consider their health when making New Year resolutions. 

Limiting alcohol intake and doing regular exercise although hardly news, is also good advice.

According to the figures spanning five years from 2007 to 2011, more than 300,000 cases of cancer recorded were linked to smoking and a further 145,000 were linked to unhealthy diets containing too much processed food. Obesity contributed to 88,000 cases and alcohol to 62,200.  Sun damage to the skin and physical inactivity were also contributing factors.

The BBC reported Prof Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician based at Queen Mary University of London, as saying: "There's now little doubt that certain lifestyle choices can have a big impact on cancer risk, with research around the world all pointing to the same key risk factors.

"Of course everyone enjoys some extra treats during the Christmas holidays so we don't want to ban mince pies and wine but it's a good time to think about taking up some healthy habits for 2015.

"Leading a healthy lifestyle can't guarantee someone won't get cancer but we can stack the odds in our favour by taking positive steps now that will help decrease our cancer risk in future."

Public Health England says a healthy lifestyle can play a vital role in reducing cancer risk. It says campaigns such as Smokefree, Dry January and Change4Life Sugar Swaps all aim to raise public awareness.

So what have you decided to have as your New Year resolutions?  We would love to hear. 

Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

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