Study shows almost half of fatal cancer cases linked to avoidable risk factors

According to a new study, almost half of all cancer deaths can be traced to risk factors that are preventable.

Forty-four percent of cancer deaths were considered to be risk-attributable cancer deaths, meaning they were linked to higher exposure to certain risk factors.

Smoking, alcohol and high body mass index were the leading risk factors. Both males and females had the same risk factors.

42 percent of cancer-related disability-adjusted life-years could be attributed to risk factors, according to a study.

Smoking, unsafe sex and alcohol are the leading risk factors for cancer in lower income countries. The global risk factors were reflected by higher-income countries.

Government can work on a population level to support an environment that reduces exposure to known cancer risk factors.

Primary prevention, or the prevention of a cancer developing, is a particularly cost-effective strategy, although it must be coupled with more comprehensive efforts to address cancer burden.

Tobacco exposure has been reduced through interventions like taxation, regulations and smoke-free policies. Efforts have been made to address alcohol use.

Behavioural risk factors are strongly influenced by the environment in which people live and people with cancer should not be blamed for their disease.

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