A recent study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) has found that nearly half of cancer-related deaths among US adults aged over 30 are attributable to modifiable risk factors such as smoking and lack of exercise. The study, which analyzed 1.78 million cases from 2019, underscores the significant potential to reduce cancer cases and deaths through lifestyle changes and improved access to healthcare.
“Large numbers of cancer cases and deaths in the United States are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, underscoring the potential to substantially reduce the cancer burden through broad and equitable implementation of preventive initiatives,” the researchers stated in their published study.
The study examined 30 types of cancer and identified that in 19 of these types, more than half of the cases and deaths were due to modifiable risk factors. Key areas highlighted were smoking, excess body weight, and cancer-related viruses such as hepatitis B, which can be prevented through vaccination.
Key Findings:
•Cigarette Smoking: The largest proportion of cancer cases was attributable to cigarette smoking, accounting for 19.3 percent of all cases.
•Excess Body Weight: This was the second leading modifiable risk factor, responsible for 7.6 percent of cases.
•Alcohol Consumption: Accounted for 5.4 percent of cases.
•UV Radiation Exposure: Responsible for 4.6 percent of cases.
•Physical Inactivity: Contributed to 3.1 percent of cases.
Cancer Types and Modifiable Risks:
•Lung Cancer: The study linked 104,410 cases in men and 97,250 cases in women in 2019 to modifiable risk factors.
•Cervical Cancer: All cases were deemed preventable through vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV).
Farhad Islami, a cancer epidemiologist at ACS, emphasized the importance of comprehensive tobacco control policies and increased screening for early detection of lung cancer. “This finding underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive tobacco control policies in each state to promote smoking cessation, as well as heightened efforts to increase screening for early detection of lung cancer, when treatment could be more effective,” Islami said.
The study also highlighted the role of healthy body weight and diet in reducing cancer cases and deaths. While genetic and environmental factors play a role in cancer development, the findings emphasize the significant impact of lifestyle choices.
Ahmedin Jemal, another cancer epidemiologist at ACS, noted the importance of equitable access to preventive healthcare and awareness about preventive measures. “These findings show there is a continued need to increase equitable access to preventive health care and awareness about preventive measures,” Jemal stated.
The study was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and serves as a crucial reminder of the potential to prevent many cancers through lifestyle modifications and preventive healthcare measures.
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