In light of the findings by the World Cancer Research Fund that more than 400 diagnoses of cancer could be avoided if the nation was healthier, it is good to know what you can do to reduce your cancer risk.
Give up smoking
Quitting smoking is the most important thing a person can do to reduce their risk of cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has previously said.
Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable deaths in England, accounting for around 80,000 deaths each year. One in two smokers will die from a smoking-related disease.
It causes about 90 per cent of lung cancers.
Quitting smoking is the most important thing a person can do to reduce their risk of cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has previously said
However, smoking can also cause cancer of the oesophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix.
Cigarette smoke is full of cancer-causing chemicals which change the lung tissue almost immediately.
The body can repair the damage at first, but if a person continues to smoke, the lung cells become increasingly damaged – and beyond repair.
Over time, the damage causes cells to act abnormally, which may cause cancer tumours to develop.
Improve your diet
Obesity is linked to many types of cancer, including cancer of the oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney.
The World Health Organisation says that diets high in fruit and vegetables can protect against cancers.
They add that the maintenance of a healthy body weight and healthy diet, as well as keeping physically active, considerably reduces cancer risk.
Obesity is linked to many types of cancer, including cancer of the oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney
After not smoking, being a healthy weight is the most important thing a person can do to reduce their cancer risk, the WCRF says.
Obese people are at risk because fat cells are active in the body, releasing hormones and electrical signals which encourage cells to divide and grow.
Cancer is caused by an error in cell division which results in them multiplying uncontrollably and building up into tumours.
The more active cells a person has in their body, the higher the chance of one of them going rogue and triggering this chain reaction.
Obesity is also often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle – eating junk food and not getting enough fruit, vegetables or exercise – factors which are separate but linked and also known to increase the risk of cancer.
Keep active
It’s well known being active is good for the heart and lungs – but it can also reduce your risk of cancer.
Research shows it has a direct role in preventing some cancers like bowel, breast and womb cancer.
It’s well known being active is good for the heart and lungs – but it can also reduce your risk of cancer
Around one in nine bowel and breast cancers could be prevented if people were more physically active.
It is not fully understood how exercise reduces cancer risk, but studies show regular activity can help keep hormone levels healthy, and too-high levels of hormones are linked to cancer.
Drink less alcohol
Alcohol is linked to mouth and throat, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer.
Leading experts advise avoiding drinking alcohol as much as possible to help prevent cancer.
Alcohol is linked to mouth and throat, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer
The NHS advise men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis – such as weekly.
A large glass of wine contains around three units, while a bottle is closer to the 10 mark. A pint of beer is around 2.3.
Try to avoid pollution
Pollution of air, water and soil with chemicals which cause cancer also adds to the cancer burden.
The WHO estimates that outdoor air pollution contributed to 3.2million early deaths worldwide in 2012, including more than 200,000 lung cancer deaths.
Pollution of air, water and soil with chemicals which cause cancer also adds to the cancer burden
In addition, more than 4million people globally die every year illnesses linked with household air pollution produced from cooking with solid fuels, such as coal.
Research released last year found that living close to a busy road could raise your risk of lung cancer by up to 10 per cent.
Scientists at Kings College London found that the phenomenon could contribute to 400 cases of the disease a year in London alone.