A recent study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of the American Cancer Society, reports that an alarming number of cancer cases and deaths in the United States result from “modifiable risk factors.” Health professionals, policymakers, and individuals interested in cancer prevention have the power to control these types of risk factors through behavioral or lifestyle changes. For example, smoking represents a modifiable risk factor, and one can eliminate this risk factor by quitting smoking.
Results from a similar 2018 study, which focused on similar types of modifiable risk factors, have helped inform cancer prevention and control strategies. This study was a significant milestone in understanding the impact of lifestyle on cancer risk, prompting the need for updated information on the risk attributed to modifiable risk factors. The resulting positive feedback promoted the same team of researchers to seek updated results based on up‐to‐date data.
The study focuses on the incidence and mortality of invasive cancers, which are a group of cancers that can spread to surrounding tissues and organs, in adults aged 30 or older. Modifiable risk factors considered in the study included cigarette smoking, exposure to second‐hand smoke, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, red and processed meat consumption, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, fiber, calcium, physical inactivity, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In addition, the researchers considered the impact of seven infections linked to cancer development.
The analysis attributed an estimated 40% of invasive cancer cases and 44% of cancer-related deaths in adults 30 or older in the United States to modifiable risk factors. Unsurprisingly, when considering individual modifiable risk factors, cigarette smoking contributed the most to both cancer cases (19.35%) and deaths (28.5%). Excess body weight followed smoking as contributing the second most to cancer cases (7.6%) and deaths (7.3%). Next, alcohol consumption accounted for 5.4% of cancer cases and 4.1% of deaths.
Another alarming statistic revealed by the study indicates that, for 19 of 30 types of cancer, more than half of cases and deaths resulted from modifiable risk factors. Lung cancer had the most cases (201,660) and deaths (122,740) attributed to modifiable risk factors.
After lung cancer, the cancer types mostly closely linked to modifiable risk factors included breast cancer (in women), melanoma skin cancer, and colorectal cancer. When evaluating which cancer-related deaths most closely occurred with modifiable risk factors, the researchers identified close links for colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancer.
The results of this study underscore the crucial need for advocating new and effective cancer prevention strategies, particularly those targeted toward reducing smoking and promoting the maintenance of a healthy weight. Implementing lifestyle changes that improve these factors could significantly impact health and survivorship. All efforts, big or small, promoting healthier living can make an impact!