SOURCE: Article by Zosia Chustecka for Medscape Medical News December 7, 2011 —
“This is the most comprehensive review of cancer and lifestyle undertaken to date,” said lead author Max Parkin, MD, professor of epidemiology at Queen Mary University, London, UK.
“Many people believe that cancer is down to fate or is ‘in the genes,’ and that it is the luck of the draw whether they get it,” Dr. Parkin said. However, he added, “looking at the evidence, it’s clear that about 40% of all cancers are caused by things we mostly have the power to change.”
Study Results:
One third of all cancers are caused by just 4 common lifestyle factors —
TOBACCO, DIET, ALCOHOL and OBESITY.
“We didn’t expect to find that eating fruit and vegetables would prove to be so important in protecting men against cancer,” he said. (What a shocker!)
“And for women, we didn’t expect being overweight to have a greater effect than alcohol.” (My inner brat is screaming “Told ya so!”).
Sir Richard Peto, FRS, from Oxford University points out that controlling the 4 lifestyle factors that contribute most to cancers would also substantially reduce the burden of other noncommunicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular, diabetic, kidney and liver disease.
Here they are, my TOP FIVE WAYS TO LOWER YOUR CANCER RISK:
(drumroll, please!)
No-brainer; IF YOU SMOKE, STOP!
EAT YOUR VEGGIES! 2-3 fruits and 8-10 servings of vegetables are the ideal.
CUT OUT RED AND PROCESSED MEATS.
ONE DRINK OR LESS A DAY.
IF YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT, FIND A WAY TO DO IT.
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