Sites where cancer is most preventable.[3]
According to research published late last year, many of the major cancers – lung, bowel, skin, breast, liver etc – can be reduced by a simple change in lifestyle.[1] One of these studies focused in on the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed along with starch to determine if a lack of consumption was linked with cancer and concluded:
If Australians increased their fibre intake by eating the recommended daily intakes of fruit and vegetables, an estimated 1,293 (8.8%) colorectal cancers could be prevented.[2]
Further lifestyle modifications such as quoting smoking, reducing UV exposure, reducing alcohol intake, eating less red and processed meat, and losing weight could also help in preventing cancer. It is estimated that over 40 000 cancers in Australia can be prevented through modifications to lifestyle. With smoking, UV radiation, body weight, diet, and alcohol, contributing to 90% of these.
Percentage of cancers caused by overweight and obesity [3]
Percentage of cancers caused by tobacco use [3]
Preventing cancer in Australia fits in with HSC PDHPE looking at the protective and risk factors for cancer (skin, breast, lung). With our lifestyle contributing to so many of these cancers, it is important that our health promotion focus on lifestyle changes to prevent cancer, not just screening programs for early intervention.
[1] Whiteman, D. C., Webb, P. M., Green, A. C., Neale, R. E., Fritschi, L., Bain, C. J., Parkin, D. M., Wilson, L. F., Olsen, C. M., Nagle, C. M., Pandeya, N., Jordan, S. J., Antonsson, A., Kendall, B. J., Hughes, M. C. B., Ibiebele, T. I., Miura, K., Peters, S. and Carey, R. N. (2015), Cancers in Australia in 2010 attributable to modifiable factors: introduction and overview. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 39: 403–407. Accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12468/abstract on 29/2/16.
[2] Nagle, C. M., Wilson, L. F., Hughes, M. C. B., Ibiebele, T. I., Miura, K., Bain, C. J., Whiteman, D. C. and Webb, P. M. (2015), Cancers in Australia in 2010 attributable to inadequate consumption of fruit, non-starchy vegetables and dietary fibre. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 39: 422–428. Accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12449/abstract on 29/2/16.
