A study by Cancer Research in the UK has highlighted more than a third of all cancer cases were avoidable – some 135,000
Being overweight or obese is a growing cause of cancer in the UK while cases caused by smoking are falling, according to a large study.
The charity also found that excess weight now caused 6.3% of all cancer cases – up from 5.5% in 2011 – while smoking as a cause had declined.
It said more action was needed to tackle the “health threat” of obesity.
Obese man’s waist
Cancer Research UK said the figures showed smoking prevention strategies were working, but more work was needed to tackle the growing problem of obesity.
Prof Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s prevention expert, said: “Obesity is a huge health threat right now, and it will only get worse if nothing is done.
“The UK government must build on the successes of smoking prevention to reduce the number of weight-related cancers
- Find time to exercise
- Add fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre to your diet
- Ditch the processed foods
- Drink more water
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