For a long time, it was believed that cancer was caused only by old age, bad luck, or genetics. However, now new research is challenging this thinking. According to a study published in the journal *Nature Medicine*, about 40 percent of cancer cases — and about half of cancer deaths — are linked to risk factors that can be largely avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Which of our habits are making us sick?
According to experts, the problem is that many habits that increase the risk of cancer have become an important part of our everyday life. Staying up late at night, sitting in one place for hours, eating processed food, avoiding stress, and lack of physical exercise — all these gradually harm the body. At first, the damage caused by these habits may not be obvious; However, over the years, these can become the root cause of serious diseases. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified tobacco use, obesity, alcohol drinking, unhealthy diet, lack of physical exercise and air pollution as some of the major preventable causes of cancer. In India too, cases of lifestyle-related cancer are on the rise.
Why are young people becoming victims of cancer?
Dr. Anindya Mukherjee told *Times of India* (TOI) that cancer is no longer a disease limited only to the elderly. Cancer cases are rising rapidly among young people — types of cancer previously seen primarily in people over the age of 50. He said that factors like cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, bad eating habits, lack of exercise, environmental pollution and long-term stress have together increased the risk of cancer in people of all ages.
Which cancers are associated with excess body fat?
According to research by the US National Cancer Institute, having excess fat in the body increases the risk of many types of cancer. These include cancer of breast, colorectal, uterus, kidney, liver and pancreas. Experts say that when the body adopts an unhealthy lifestyle for a long time, it increases inflammation inside the body. This inflammation damages healthy cells and can create the perfect environment for cancer.
Risks related to tobacco and passive smoking
According to Dr. Mukherjee, the biggest preventable cause of cancer today is tobacco. Its effects are not limited to the lungs only; It also affects the mouth, throat, stomach, kidney, bladder and many other parts of the body. Apart from this, passive smoking is also an equally serious problem. Additionally, air pollution is also becoming a rapidly growing threat, especially for people living in urban areas.
How can you protect yourself?
According to Dr. Mukherjee, to protect yourself from cancer, it is important that you maintain your weight, exercise regularly, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, stay away from tobacco, limit alcohol consumption, control stress and get enough sleep.
