The 2 Most Important Habits When It Comes To Preventing Cancer
It’s easy to feel powerless when it comes to cancer. The disease often appears to be a roll of the genetic dice, something that strikes without rhyme or reason. But extensive analysis suggests you have more control over your risk than you might think.
According to a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one third of all cancer cases worldwide are preventable. That means millions of diagnoses every year could be avoided through lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and environmental improvements.
The WHO report paints a stark picture of global health. In 2022 alone, there were nearly 19 million new cases of cancer worldwide. About 37% of those – nearly 7.1 million cases – were tied to risk factors. While the study identified 30 different risk factors — from air pollution to a high body mass index — three specific drivers stood out above the rest. Of these, two can be changed by changing behavior.
“Tackling these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide,” commented Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study.
Cigarette smoking is the single largest preventable cause of cancer. The WHO has found that smoking is linked to 15 percent of all cancer cases worldwide by 2022. The risk is even more pronounced for men, as smoking contributes to about 23% of all new cancers in men that year.
Although lung cancer is the most obvious consequence, tobacco use is also closely linked to stomach and other cancers. Despite decades of public health warnings, this one habit remains the most significant obstacle to a cancer-free future for millions of people.
Infection is the second leading preventable cause of cancer, accounting for 10% of new cases worldwide. In women, the majority of preventable cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which drives cervical cancer rates. Meanwhile, stomach cancer is mainly caused by Helicobacter pylori.
The third most important preventable factor identified in the analysis was another modifiable factor: alcohol consumption. The WHO says that 3% of all new cancers worldwide are caused by alcohol.
Although most people associate alcohol primarily with liver damage, its connection to cancer is broader. The data suggests that even moderate use can impact risk, reinforcing the idea that cutting down — or stopping altogether — is a viable way to protect your health.
The takeaway from this data is not to sit in fear, but to see an opportunity to act. The numbers show that almost half of the preventable cases include lung, stomach, and cervical cancer. These are areas where behavioral changes can make a big difference.
You cannot control your genetics or all the environmental factors you encounter. But by managing the habits you can change — like logging your daily steps — you can tilt the odds in your favor.
