Smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, poor nutrition, unsafe sexual practices, lack of physical activity, air pollution, and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake are all factors that contribute to cancer, but they are entirely preventable.
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| The World Health Organization recommends eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent cancer. |
“One-third of cancer deaths could be avoided by reducing exposure to these risks. Prevention remains the best strategy. It is much more effective than medical technology,” stated Dr. Majid Ezzati from Harvard University. It is estimated that up to 7 million cancer deaths occur globally each year due to 12 types of cancer. Ezzati’s research involved contributions from over 100 scientists worldwide regarding data and medical evidence.
Smoking is considered the largest factor, linked to five types of cancer: lung, oral, stomach, pancreatic, and bladder cancers. “Among the 2.43 million cancer deaths in 2001, 37% were due to lung cancer,” Ezzati noted. The smoking prevalence has been increasing in developing countries over the past few decades, leading experts to predict that cancer mortality will continue to rise in the coming years. Following tobacco, alcohol consumption and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake are significant contributors.
Obesity contributes to the incidence of colorectal and breast cancers, particularly in developed countries.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, transmitted through unsafe sexual practices, is a leading cause of cervical cancer among women in Sub-Saharan Africa and many regions in Asia. The mortality rate from this type of cancer is primarily due to a lack of diagnostic equipment and clinical testing services.
Urban air pollution is recognized as a cancer risk factor in Western and Southern Asia, while indoor coal smoke presents a significant issue in China.
Dr. Ezzati also mentioned the spread of hepatitis, which is linked to liver cancer, partly due to the use of contaminated syringes in healthcare facilities in impoverished countries.
Mỹ Linh (according to Reuters)
