Nearly 50% of all cancer deaths can be prevented. It is reliably estimated that lifestyle and environmental factors are responsible for 42% of the cancers in the United Kingdom. What is true in the UK is likely to be true in much of the industrialized world.

The research looked at the contribution to cancer made by tobacco, unhealthful foods in the diet, obesity, alcohol, lack of exercise, industrial exposures, radiation and several other factors that make a small contribution to cancer.

Of the 314,000 cases of cancer in the UK in 2010, 134,000 were preventable. Tobacco caused 60,000 premature cancer deaths.There were 29,000 cancers caused by eating red meat or a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet. Obesity was responsible for another 17,000 premature cancer deaths. Alcohol drinking caused 12,000 premature deaths.

The four most important lifestyle exposures relating to cancer are tobacco smoking, eating red meat and avoiding fruits and vegetables, alcohol drinking and obesity. These four factors account for 34% of the all the cancers occurring in UK in 2010.

A healthful lifestyle can prevent cancer. Ellen White, a 19th century health reformer understood the benefits of a healthful lifestyle. She said, “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power–these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them.” Child Guidance 366

Live right and greatly reduce your risk of cancer.