About 40% of new cancer cases among U.S. adults and nearly half of all cancer deaths are linked to lifestyle risk factors including smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption, according to a new study by American Cancer Society.
The exact cause of most cancers are unknown and many are outside an individual's control. A list of lifestyle risk factors were identified in the study that put people at a greater risk of a cancer diagnosis in their lifetimes.
Cigarette smoking was by far the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 1 in 5 cancer cases and about a third of of all cancer deaths. Excess body weight was next, contributing to nearly 8% of cancer cases, followed by alcohol consumption and excessive sun exposure, each linked to about 5% of cases.
Despite considerable declines in smoking prevalence during the past few decades, the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in the United States is alarming. This finding underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive tobacco control policies in each state to promote smoking cessation.
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