(13-06-09) Prevent Cancer By Changing Your Diet

by David Gutierrez

Nearly a quarter of cancers could be prevented by simple changes
in diet and exercise, including up to 70 percent of cases of certain varieties, according to a report issued by the World Cancer Research Fund.

"The evidence linking diet, physical activity, obesity and cancer has become stronger over the last decade and this report can play a part in people adopting healthier lifestyles," said Mike Richards, the United Kingdom's National Clinical Director for Cancer. "After not smoking, it is clear that diet, physical activity and weight are the most important things people can do to reduce their cancer risk."

The report estimates how many cases of cancer could be
prevented by increased physical activity, improved diet and weight control.
According to the report, 24 percent of cancers in the United States could be prevented by making these lifestyle changes. It looks further at 12 specific cancer types, concluding that 11 percent of prostate cancers; 15 percent of liver cancers; 21 percent of gall bladder cancers; 24 percent of kidney cancers; 36 percent of lung cancers; 38 percent of breast cancers; 39 percent of pancreatic cancers; 45 percent of bowel cancers; 47 percent of stomach cancers; 63 percent of mouth, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers; 69 percent of
esophageal cancers; and 70 percent of uterine cancers could be eliminated.


These figures do not factor in the influence of smoking, which is responsible for a full third of cancers worldwide.

The report makes 48 recommendations of ways that everyone "from governments to households" can help reduce rates of
cancer. It encourages schools and businesses to place bans on unhealthy foods and encourage physical activity, and urges those who shop for their families to be more conscientious about reading nutritional labels.

"There is no magic bullet, no one single fix to the problem [of cancer,]" said Richard Davidson of Cancer Research UK. "If we are to tackle the situation we need individuals, business and government to work together to encourage healthy lifestyles by promoting things like cycle anes and food labeling."

Source: news.bbc.co.uk.

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