4 in 10 UK cancer cases are avoidable

New figures released by Cancer Research UK show that 37.7 percent of all cancer cases in the country could be avoided through lifestyle changes. The most common 'preventable cause' was found to be tobacco smoke, which is thought to have a hand in around 15 percent of all diagnoses. Other factors include obesity/being overweight (6 percent) and exposure to UV radiation (4 percent). The 37.7 total percent equates to more than 135,500 cases per year.

Sir Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Leading a healthy life doesn’t guarantee that a person won’t get cancer, but it can stack the odds in your favour. These figures show that we each can take positive steps to help reduce our individual risk of the disease". Kumar added that "The UK Government must build on the successes of smoking prevention to reduce the number of weight-related cancers. Banning junk food TV adverts before the 9pm watershed is an important part of the comprehensive approach needed.”