400 cancer cases a day in the UK could be avoided by healthier lifestyles says charity

Healthier lifestyles could mean almost 150,000 fewer cases of cancer in the UK each year, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

It found that in 2017, the last year for which there are fully collated figures, 366,303 cases of cancer were diagnosed – more than 1,000 people a day.

But it estimated that 147,000 cases, or around 40%, could have been avoided if people people stopped smoking, drank less alcohol, ate healthy foods, were active and maintained a healthy weight.

Other factors include cutting down on red and processed meat, avoiding too much sun and breastfeeding where possible.

Susannah Brown, head of research interpretation at WCRF said: “When we hear the word cancer, we often think of it as something inevitable that can’t be avoided.

“However, about 40% of all cancers could be prevented. Eating a healthy diet, being more active each day and maintaining a healthy weight are, after not smoking, the most important ways to reduce cancer risk.

“So, we want to change the narrative so that people feel empowered to make healthier choices, instead of feeling defeatist about cancer as an inevitable future.”

Caroline Cerny, alliance lead at the Obesity Health Alliance, added: “Our environment is flooded with unhealthy food which can overwhelm families and make healthy eating extremely challenging.

“The Government has a key role to play in shaping an environment that supports health. A key part of this is addressing the tide of junk food marketing with a 9pm watershed on junk food adverts and restrictions on promotions.”

(c) Sky News 2020: 400 cancer cases a day in the UK could be avoided by healthier lifestyles says charity