Clean living way to beat cancer says UK study

PANAMA. Over 40% of breast and bowel cancer cases in rich countries are preventable through diet, physical activity and weight control alone, according to experts at the World Cancer Research Fund, as reported by BBC News.

Simple measures like cycling to work and swapping fatty foods for fruit can make all the difference for these and many other cancers, they say.

Globally, each year there are millions of these preventable cancer cases, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates.

Its report makes recommendations for "clean living" policies. According to the report, about a third of the 12 most common cancers in high-income countries and about a quarter in lower income countries could be prevented through diet, exercise and weight control. This include throat, lung and bowel cancers.

The report says all sections of society "from governments to households" should make public health, and cancer prevention in particular, a higher priority.

Among the 48 recommendations is the advice for schools and workplaces to actively encourage physical activity and ban unhealthy food.

Governments should require widespread walking and cycling routes to encourage physical activity. And the people who do the weekly food shopping for their family should check food labels to make sure they are healthy.

Professor Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: "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.

"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."