40% cases of canser could be prevented, scientist say

Scientists from Cancer Research UK and Mary Queen University in London think almost 600,000 cases of cancer in the UK in the last five years could be avoided with healthy lifestyle.

Thus, smoking is a well known cause of cancer and accounted for more than 314,000 cases in the past five years in UK.

Further 145,000 cancers might have been averted if more people ate a balanced diet low in red and processed meat and salt, and high in vegetables, fruit and fibre.

Maintaining a healthy weight could have prevented around 88,000 cases, while tens of thousands of cancers were linked to excess alcohol, failing to protect the skin from sun, and lack of exercise.

Professor Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician based at Queen Mary, University of London - whose work provided the basis of the report - said: ''There's now little doubt that certain lifestyle choices can have a big impact on cancer risk, with research around the world all pointing to the same key risk factors.- says research professor Max Parkin,-Of course everyone enjoys some extra treats during the Christmas holidays, so we don't want to ban mince pies and wine. But it's a good time to think about taking up some healthy habits for New Year''.

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