For a long time, cancer was believed to be caused solely by aging, bad luck, or genetic factors. But new research is changing this perception. According to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, approximately 40 percent of cancer cases and nearly half of cancer deaths are linked to risks that can be largely avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
According to experts, the problem is that many habits that increase the risk of cancer have become a part of our daily lives. Staying up late, sitting in one place for hours, eating processed food, ignoring stress, and lack of physical activity gradually affect the body. Their harm may not be visible initially, but over the years, these habits can lead to serious illnesses. A World Health Organization report states that tobacco, obesity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, and air pollution are among the most preventable causes of cancer. India is also experiencing a steady increase in lifestyle-related cancer cases.
Dr. Anindya Mukherjee told the media that cancer is no longer a disease of the elderly. Cancers that were previously more common after the age of 50 are increasingly appearing in younger people. He says that factors such as smoking, alcohol, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, pollution, and persistent stress have increased the risk of cancer in people of all ages.
Research by the National Cancer Institute of the United States has linked excess body fat to several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, uterine, kidney, liver, and pancreas cancers. Experts say that when the body faces a poor lifestyle for a long time, internal inflammation increases. This inflammation damages healthy cells and can create an environment conducive to cancer.
According to Dr. Mukherjee, tobacco remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer. It affects not only the lungs but also the mouth, throat, stomach, kidneys, bladder, and many other organs. Passive smoking is equally dangerous. Furthermore, air pollution is becoming a rapidly emerging threat, especially for people living in cities.
According to Dr. Mukherjee, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep are essential for cancer prevention.