Seven million cancers a year are preventable - report

"A report by World Health Organization (WHO) scientists estimates 37% of cancers are caused by infections, lifestyle choices and environmental pollutants that could be avoided. This includes cervical cancers caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infections which vaccination can help prevent, as well as a host of tumours caused by tobacco smoke from cigarettes. The researchers said their report showed there is a "powerful opportunity" to transform the lives of millions of people."

"The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the WHO, analysed 30 preventable factors known to increase the risk of cancer. These include smoking and ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can directly damage our DNA; obesity and too little physical activity which alter inflammation and hormones in the body to raise cancer risk; and air pollution which can wake up dormant cancer cells."

Thirty-seven percent of cancers worldwide are attributable to avoidable causes, representing about seven million preventable cases each year. The International Agency for Research on Cancer analysed 30 modifiable risk factors across 185 countries using 2022 cancer incidence and exposure data from roughly a decade earlier. Major preventable causes include tobacco smoking (about 3.3 million cancers), infectious agents (about 2.3 million cancers, including HPV, hepatitis viruses, and H. pylori), and alcohol (about 700,000 cancers). Preventable exposures also include ultraviolet radiation, obesity, physical inactivity, and air pollution, which increase risk through DNA damage, inflammation, hormonal changes, or reactivating dormant cancer cells. Some cancers remain inevitable due to aging and inherited genes.

Read at www.bbc.com