Challenge of 'lifestyle' cancers faces world

The rise in cancer linked to poor diet and a lack of exercise posed as much of a problem in the 21st century as providing access to clean water did in the 19th century, claimed Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

While the increase in many cancers was linked to people living longer, about 80,000 cases could be prevented every year in the UK if people ate better, kept to a healthy weight and exercised, he said.

It has been estimated that about one in three of the most common cancers in high-income countries, and about one in four in medium and low-income countries, could be stopped if people led healthier lives.

According to the United Nations, the number of deaths from cancer worldwide is set to double by 2030.

And global cases of cancer have risen dramatically in the last 30 years, from 6.3 million cases in 1980 to 8.1 million in 1990 and 11.3 million in 2007.

But Prof Wiseman said this doubling was not inevitable and more should be done to prevent lifestyle cancers.

He was speaking ahead of the WCRF's international scientific conference, which will feature speakers from the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

"It is clear the rising number of lifestyle-related cancers is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today," he said.

"The challenge we face in preventing cancer is of the same scale as people faced in making drinking water freely available in the 19th century in urban areas.

"Unless we can stop the rising number of lifestyle-related cancers, millions of people will die unnecessarily young."

Estimates suggest a quarter of all cancer deaths are caused by unhealthy living and obesity.