A significant number of cancer cases and deaths worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors, highlighting the potential of preventive measures to reduce the cancer burden, according to Dr. Farhad Islami’s study.
Key risk factors include smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, red and processed meat, low intake of fruits and vegetables, dietary fiber, and calcium. Other factors are physical inactivity, UV radiation, and infections like HPV.
Smoking was identified as the leading risk factor, responsible for 20% of cancer cases and 30% of cancer deaths. Excess body weight and alcohol consumption followed.
