Cancer risk factors

For most people getting a cancer diagnosis in the UK, there's nothing they could have done to prevent it. However, research published in the British Journal of Cancer, found 45% of all cancers in men and 40% in women could be prevented. Find out what changes you can make to your life to cut your risk, and whether the place you live affects your level of risk.

Stub it out

Smoking is the number one risk factor for both sexes, causing 22.8% of cancers in men and 15.2% in women. Of the 314,251 cancers – including lung cancer - diagnosed in men and women each year, tobacco is responsible for 36,537 cases in men and 24,300 cases in women. Cancer specialists stress people with unhealthy lifestyles shouldn't blame themselves and fail to seek help. Sara Hiom, director of information at Cancer Research UK, says: "Smokers may feel they have only themselves to blame and therefore don't come forward for the healthcare they need." Cutting your cancer risk is one of a long list of good reasons to kick the habit.

A lack of fruit and veg

In second place in the league table of cancer risks for men is a lack of fruit and vegetables. The gap in our diets is responsible for 9,641 male cases or 6.1%. For women, this ranks in fifth place, and is responsible for 5,261 cases a year or 3.4%. Lower down the risk list for both sexes, but still important, are other diet problems such as eating too much red and processed meat, a lack of fibre and consuming too much salt.

Your job

The job you do is in third place for men's cancer risk. Occupation, such as exposure to asbestos, formaldehyde, arsenic and diesel, is responsible for 7,832 cases or 4.9%. Make sure your employer provides all the right safety gear you need to do your job to minimise exposure, and don't cut corners or take risks with safety.

Alcohol

Binge drinking and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is well known as a threat to our livers, but for men, alcohol is in fourth place in the cancer risk league. Heavy drinking is responsible for 7,332 male cancer cases or 4.6%. It is also the sixth biggest risk for women, responsible for 5,136 cases or 3.3%. The NHS recommends men should not regularly drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day, and for women two to three units. One pint of strong lager adds up to neary three units alone.

Obesity and being overweight

Having a muffin top is a big cancer risk factor for women. Being overweight or obese is a woman's second biggest risk factor, responsible for 10,764 cases or 6.9%. A man's beer gut and belly fat is the fifth worst male risk factor, blamed for 6,530 cases or 4.1%. A lack of physical exercise is also a cancer red flag. Ciarán Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, says: "There needs to be a cultural change, so that people see physical activity as an integral part of their lives, not just as an optional add-on."

Sun exposure and sunbeds

We look forward to the warming rays of sun in the summer, which are essential for good health. However, despite our weather, too much sun and sunbed use is the fourth biggest cancer risk for women, blamed for 5,620 cases or 3.6%. Too much tanning is also the sixth biggest cancer risk for men, responsible for 5,477 cases or 3.5%. Cancer Research UK says we should be sun smart at home and abroad: use shade, cover up with hats and clothing and slap on a sunscreen with at least SPF15 to protect yourself. 

Infections

You can't catch cancer, but infections can lead to cancer later. In third place for British women's cancer risk are infections, such as HPV. These are responsible for 5,820 cases or 3.7% of cancers, such as cervical cancer.

Radiation

Radiation is a known cancer risk if you work in the nuclear industry. If you've ever had an x-ray, you will have seen the radiographers wearing lead lined gear and standing behind protective screens. Radiation is a cancer risk factor, from diagnostic x-rays and from radiation that occurs around us in the ground in some parts of the UK from radon gas. Only 15% of our annual radiation dose comes from medical x-rays, and Cancer Research UK says the health risks from x-rays generally are outweighed by the benefits of getting the right diagnosis and treatment. Cancer from radiation causes around 5,800 cancers a year.

Where you live

Where you live can make a difference to your cancer survival chances. For example in England, 2009 statistics show bowel cancer one year survival is 80% in Telford and Wrekin but the worst rates were seen in Waltham Forest, and Hastings and Rother at 58%. Kensington & Chelsea in London was best for lung cancer survival; the worst was Herefordshire. The differences may be due to many factors, including the quality of early diagnosis and treatment.

Playing the odds

One of the people behind the lifestyle statistics is Professor Max Parkin from Queen Mary, University of London. He says it is impossible to explain why any individual gets cancer, but the situation should be readily understandable by anyone with knowledge of betting. "We can tilt the odds," he says. "You can't guarantee you'll be a winner or loser; some of it is down to random chance, but within the chance element we can modify the probabilities."

Related reading

• See an overview of breast cancer
• Skin cancer warning signs
• Pancreatic cancer facts
• Learn about cervical cancer
• Essential screening tests for women
• Screening tests for men