40% of Adult Cancer Cases Preventable Through Lifestyle Changes

American Cancer Society Research Report
Cancer Risk Factors: Smoking, Obesity, and Alcohol Consumption in Order

More than 40% of adult cancer cases and deaths caused by cancer can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and managing weight, according to a study from the United States.

The American Cancer Society released a research report on the 11th (local time), stating that out of 1,781,649 cancer cases diagnosed in adults aged 30 and over in the U.S. in 2019, approximately 40%, or 713,340 cases, were preventable cancers.

Image sketch related to smoking and smoking cessation. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

The society analyzed the association between cancer cases and deaths among adults aged 30 and over in the U.S. in 2019 and 18 risk factors that contributed to cancer incidence and mortality. In 2019, there were 595,700 cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The study found that 262,100 of these deaths, accounting for 44%, were preventable through risk factor control.

The risk factors were not uncontrollable elements such as genetics or environment, but rather those that individuals can manage through effort and willpower, such as smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption. The largest risk factor associated with cancer death was smoking (28.5%). This was followed by excessive obesity (7.3%), alcohol consumption (4.1%), lack of exercise (2.5%), and low fruit and vegetable intake (1.5%). Combining obesity and lack of exercise accounts for about 10%, suggesting that increasing physical activity and maintaining a proper weight alone can have a significant cancer prevention effect. Additionally, ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure (1.3%) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (1.2%) were also found to be related to cancer deaths. Besides HPV, viruses and bacteria that can cause cancer include Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 8, Helicobacter pylori (a cause of stomach cancer), hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus (which cause liver cancer), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society, said, "Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, managing weight, and exercising are things people can change in their daily lives to reduce their risk of developing cancer." He added, "While cancer incidence is often considered a matter of bad luck or genetic factors, there are many aspects that individuals can control themselves."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.