(31-01-11) Alcohol and obesity contribute to high breast cancer rate

The UK has the 11th highest breast cancer rates in the world, new league
tables show
By Peter Russell
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks

Obesity and heavy drinking among women have combined to put the UK 11th out of
50 countries for the worst record on breast cancer.

Overall, the UK ranks 22nd for cancers among both sexes.

Denmark emerges as the world?s cancer capital, according to statistics
compiled by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) using World Health Organisation
(WHO) estimates.

Every year about 326 Danes out of every 100,000 in the population develop
cancer. In part, Denmark is a victim of its own success because it has a good
record of cancer diagnosis. However, high rates of smoking among Danish women
and high levels of alcohol consumption are also important factors.

UK?s cancer rankings
In the UK, rates are about 267 per 100,000, with the country ranked 33rd in
the world for cancers in men and 12th for cancers in women. WCRF says the UK?s
11th ranking for breast cancer is linked to high levels of obesity and
consumption of alcohol.

The league tables also demonstrate a link between higher cancer rates and high-
income countries. WCRF says richer nations tend to have better rates of
detecting the disease, but are also more likely to have problems with obesity,
drinking and lower levels of exercise.

Many cancers are linked to these lifestyle factors, including those of the
mouth and larynx, lung, stomach, pancreas, liver, bowel, breast, prostate and
kidney.

Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for the WCRF, said in
a statement: "We know that people in high-income countries are more likely to
be overweight, to drink a lot of alcohol and to be inactive. When you look at
the list, it is clear that the countries that do worse for these factors tend
to be nearer the top."

Wiseman said about a third of the most common cancers in the UK could be
prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, good nutrition and exercise.

Comment
Meg McArthur, Senior Policy and Information Officer at Breakthrough Breast
Cancer, said in a statement: "Although these statistics show that we have
further to go before we have a future free from the fear of breast cancer in
the UK, it is important to remember that more women than ever are surviving due
to better screening, improved treatment and greater awareness.

"Breast cancer is thought to be due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic and
environmental factors and although some risk factors cannot be changed, women
can reduce their risk by drinking less, maintaining a healthy weight and
exercising regularly."

Kim Hardwick, Senior Nurse at Macmillan Cancer Support, said in an emailed
statement: ?Research is clearly showing us that we can all reduce our risk of
getting cancer by choosing not to smoke, drinking less alcohol, having regular
exercise and eating a well balanced diet but many people find making these
lifestyle changes very difficult.

?It?s important to remember you can get help through your GP and practice
nurses and ask those closest to you.?

Source:
http://www.webmd.boots.com/cancer/news/20110124/alcohol-and-obesity-contribute-
to-high-breast-cancer-rate

News

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