EXCESS WEIGHT PROBABLY THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CANCER RISK FACTOR 

June 25, 2012 — More than 4 out of 10 cancers could be prevented by lifestyle changes, concludes a new report from Cancer Research UK, titled "Cancer Prevention: Stacking the Odds in Your Favour."

"Many people believe cancer is down to fate or 'in the genes' and that it is the luck of the draw whether they get it. But there is clear evidence that around 40% of all cancers are caused by things people mostly have the power to change," the report notes. "While leading a healthy life doesn't guarantee that a person won't get cancer, healthy habits can stack the odds in their favor," it concludes.

"Smoking is by far the most important preventable cause of cancer and is linked to at least 14 different types of the disease," comments Harpal Kumal, PhD, chief executive of Cancer Research UK. "Alcohol also increases cancer risk, and the combination of both smoking and drinking heavily increases the risk considerably more."

However, after smoking, excess weight is one of the biggest causes of cancer, he points out in the introduction to the new report.

"Unless we tackle the obesity epidemic in the UK, we risk cancer cases soaring," he notes. Cancer Research UK estimates that around 17,000 cases of cancer each year are caused by people being overweight and obese.

In 2009, nearly two thirds of all adults in England and Wales were overweight and obese. Cancers linked to excess weight include breast, colorectal, kidney, uterine, and pancreatic cancer.

"What many people don't realise is that extra fat around the middle — their 'muffin top' — is surprisingly active, releasing hormones and other chemicals that can make cells in the body divide far more often than usual, which can increase the risk of cancer," she commented in a statement.

"For both men and women, being overweight is, after smoking, the most important risk factor for cancer," comments one of the report authors, Jane Wade, PhD, from the Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Center, based at University College London

Main Barrier: Lack of Willpower

The new report outlines results from a survey conducted in 2011 individuals. Of these participants, 26% were found to be obese (with a body mass index >30 kg/m²), and a further 32% were classified as overweight (with a body mass index of 25 - 30 kg/m²).

There was a high degree of knowledge about the link between excess weight and cancer, with 63% of the respondents agreeing that "being overweight" was a risk factor.

The majority of people (69%) taking part in the survey said they wanted to lose weight, and this percentage was even higher (87%) among those who were classified as overweight or obese.

When individuals who were overweight and obese were queried about difficulties they encountered when trying to lose weight, the majority of respondents (64%) said that they lacked will power. Nearly half said they had tried to lose weight previously and were not successful, whereas 43% said they had other things to worry about and 38% said they did not have the time to exercise and prepare healthy meals.

Less than one third of all respondents (29%) said they managed to eat the recommended 5 fruits and vegetables each day. Even fewer (23%) managed to achieve the recommended level of exercise (at least 2 hours 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each week).

Need Sustained Lifestyle Changes

"Our report shows that even though overweight people would like to lose weight and are aware of the cancer risk, they feel lack of will power is a major barrier to shedding the pounds," commented Dr. Wardle.

"We know that the modern day environment makes it very hard for people to lose weight, especially when they are bombarded by advertising and easily tempted by cheap ready-made meals and fast food, instead of a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables," she added.

Commenting on the new findings, Susan Jebb, MD, head of diet and population health at the UK Medical Research Council, said: "It's encouraging that most people recognize a poor diet and lack of physical activity significantly increase their risk of developing cancer."

"But it's also clear that most people find it hard to turn their good intentions — to eat better and move more — into sustained changes in their lifestyle," She commented in a statement. "This gap between knowledge and behaviour helps to explain why the number of people who are obese is continuing to increase."

Dr. Jebb concluded, "Research shows that to make sustained changes in diet and physical activity people need tangible support from family, friends or health professionals. In the longer term, it's important that the places we live and work make the healthier choice the easier choice, so healthy living becomes a way of life, not a matter of personal willpower."

The report was funded by Scottish Power, which has chosen Cancer Research UK as one its principal charities for the next 3 years, with the aim of raising over £5 million.