Most Cancers are Caused by Lifestyle Factors

New evidence indicates that lifestyle factors are the most significant causes of cancer rather than exposure to chemicals in food and consumer products.

Bernard Stewart, professor of oncology at the University of New South Wales, said: "Measures known to prevent cancer include smoking cessation, reducing alcohol intake, curbing obesity and avoiding deliberate sun exposure."

"Diverting attention from these messages threatens to undermine their efficacy to deliver proven benefits," added Stewart, who systematically reviewed medical literature on known and suspected cancer hazards, the journal The Lancet Oncology reported.

"Cancer is arguably the most-feared disease in the western world, and media attention focuses on any inference of causation," he said. "Most people are aware of a multitude of possible cancer causes."

While there is evidence that air pollution contributes to cancer risk, "the risk is at least 10 times less than it is for smoking", a university statement quoted Stewart as saying.

Read more: Most Cancers are Caused by Lifestyle Factors | MedIndia http://www.medindia.net/news/most-cancers-are-caused-by-lifestyle-factors-98348-1.htm#ixzz1oFyeeS3n