The foods you eat, the physical activities you pursue and the way you manage your weight may all contribute to your risk of getting cancer, a new report states.
According to the Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention report, published by the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research, approximately one-third of common cancers can be prevented.
Although the study does not take smoking into account, it recommends improving diet, increasing exercise and staying at a healthy weight as three lifestyle changes that can cut a persons chances of contracting cancer.
Specifically, the report estimates that about 45 percent of colon cancer cases and 38 percent of breast cancer cases can be prevented in this way.
Sir Michael Marmot, chair of the panel that created the policy paper, said that “everyone from heads of government down to the people who do the weekly food shopping for their family” could benefit from its findings.
In addition to following a healthy diet, some people take nutritional supplements to help prevent disease and maintain their wellbeing.