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Cancer affects all of us.  Even if we do not develop cancer ourselves, we all have family and friends who have had cancer. 

The most recent policy Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for cancer, identifies a range of actions needed to respond to this, but in particular we need to:

• reduce the incidence of cancers which are preventable by lifestyle changes;

• improve access to screening;

• achieve earlier diagnosis of cancer to improve outcomes;

• make sure all patients have access to the best possible treatment.

Lifestyle risk factors for cancer

Many people believe that getting cancer is purely down to genes, fate or bad luck.  Through scientific research, we know that our risk actually depends on a combination of our genes, with either our environment or aspects of our lives, many of which we can control.  The risk of cancer is related to the interaction between non-modifiable risks and other modifiable lifestyle risk factors to increase or decrease overall risk.  Experts estimate that up to half of these cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes (see below).  To find out more about how cancer can be prevented, click here.

Not smoking

• Smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world, accounting for 1 in 4 UK cancer deaths.

Keeping active

• By being physically active, you can reduce the risk of breast, bowel and womb cancer.

Keeping a healthy body weight  and eating a healthy, balanced diet

• Keeping a healthy body weight is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of getting cancer, after quitting smoking.  Those who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop cancer and more likely to die from cancer.-

Staying safe in the sun

• Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who develop it is increasing.  Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the leading cause of skin cancer.

Cutting back on alcohol

• Alcohol can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases.  Every year, alcohol causes about 6% of cancer deaths in the UK, killing over 9,000 people.  People who smoke and drink multiply the damage they receive, because tobacco and alcohol work together to damage the cells of the body.  Alcohol makes it easier for the mouth and throat to absorb the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco.

For more information check our Cancer Awareness Factsheet.  Additional information is also available on our Alcohol, Physical Activity, Healthy Weight, Healthy Eating, Smoking Cessation and Skin Awareness Improving Health Together Factsheets .