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Key points
- A study by the American Cancer Society found that 40% of cancer cases in the US are caused by modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption.
- Although some cancers are hereditary, genetic factors only account for 5-10% of cancers, and lifestyle factors contribute significantly to cancer risk.
A recent study by researchers from the American Cancer Society adds data to a growing body of research showing that lifestyle factors ranging from drinking alcohol to not exercising the main features in the development of cancer.
According to research, 40% of all cancer cases and about half of all cancers in adults age 30 and older in the United States can be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including smoking. obesity, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, diet. , and infections such as HPV, which cause cervical cancer and other cancers.
Of course, 40% may still be lower than the actual number.
“If you add factors where there is insufficient data, such as the effects of water and air pollution, lifestyle factors can account for 60% or more,” said the study’s lead author. Farhad Islami, Oral and Maximal Surgery SpecialistSenior Scientific Director for Cancer Disparities Research at the American Cancer Society told Verywell.
Smoking is by far the main risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of cancer cases and 30% of cancer deaths.
The researchers did not examine what percentage of cancer was caused by genetic factors or exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. Islami said in many cases, even if a person has a genetic predisposition to a certain type of cancer, the risk can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Preventative measures can also greatly reduce the risk, such as making sure you have regular mammograms if you have a family history of breast cancer.
“These findings indicate that there is still a need to improve equitable access to preventive health services and awareness of preventive measures,” said the study’s senior author. Ahmedin Jemal, DVM, PhDSenior Vice President of Health Equity and Science Surveillance at the American Cancer Society, in a statement.
What you can control
According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors that can be modified to prevent cancer include:
- Quit or start smoking
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get you HPV vaccine
- Do regular skin cancer checks, avoid UV radiation, and practice sunscreen
- Get screening for colon canceruse of home stool tests and colonoscopy every 10 years
- Get a mammogram for breast cancer every two years
Islami recommends consulting with your doctor about how to address modifiable risk factors because it’s difficult to take all of these steps at once. In fact, you may not qualify for any of these measures. For example, most women may not be able to get a mammogram before age 40 – or get one from insurance if they can afford one. That’s because the US Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendations for mammograms it doesn’t start until age 40. Similarly, for people at average risk of colon cancer, Colonoscopy is not recommended until age 45.
What you can’t control
Some types of cancer are hereditary. However Huma Rana, Doctor of Public Health Specialist, MPHThe Clinical Director for Genetics and Cancer Prevention at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, emphasizes that not many do.
“Most cancers occur by chance as a result of what we call ‘sporadic mutations,’ and only 5% to 10% are caused by genes we are born with,” Rana said in a podcast and proved it very well.
Most people with a family history of cancer do not have a higher risk of developing cancer because most cancers are not caused by an inherited susceptibility.
However, there are exceptions.
lynch syndrome is a hereditary condition associated with a higher susceptibility to colorectal cancer and uterine cancer. This condition is responsible for about 3% of all colorectal cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, Lynch syndrome affects about 1 in every 280 Americans.
Separately, people who have inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations at a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer, among other things. About 1 in 400 people live with a BRCA mutation, increasing their risk of breast cancer to more than 60%, compared to 13% in the general population.
Genetic testing can determine whether you have inherited Lynch syndrome or a BRCA mutation, as well as your individual cancer risk from these genetic traits. You may be screened more often or earlier for appropriate types of cancer.
still, Health Specialist Dr. Michael Crupain, MPH, provost at the American College of Preventive Medicine and faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said cancer risk in general “is not about the genetic code you’ve been given; but how the genetic code is changed by lifestyle.”
What it means to you
This study emphasizes the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing alcohol consumption, to significantly reduce the risk of cancer. By targeting modifiable risk factors, you can take proactive steps to prevent cancer and improve your overall health.
2024-08-05 19:42:15
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