Yes, cancer risk can be reduced through lifestyle conformity. A recent study published in BMC Medicine examined the association between adherence to cancer prevention recommendations by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and cancer risk in the UK. The study found that higher adherence to the recommendations was associated with a significantly lower risk of overall cancer as well as ovarian, esophageal, liver, breast, colorectal, gallbladder, and kidney cancers.
The study included over 97,000 participants who were followed for a median of 7.9 years. Participants were assigned a score based on their adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations. The recommendations cover seven areas: body weight, physical activity, alcohol intake, diet, and smoking.
Participants with the highest adherence scores had a lower risk of cancer than those with the lowest adherence scores. For example, those in the highest tertile of adherence had a 35% lower risk of overall cancer and a 41% lower risk of breast cancer.
The study’s authors say that their findings support increasing compliance with the WCRF/AICR recommendations in the UK.
The researchers say that their findings support increasing compliance with the 2018 WCRF/AICR recommendations in the UK. They also note that the study’s findings are likely to be generalizable to other countries.
Study Summary
- A recent study published in BMC Medicine examined associations between adherence to cancer prevention recommendations by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and cancer risk.
- The study used data from the UK Biobank prospective cohort, with over 500,000 participants recruited during 2006–10.
- The researchers found that higher adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations was associated with a significantly lower risk of overall cancer as well as ovarian, esophageal, liver, breast, colorectal, gallbladder, and kidney cancers.
- These results support increasing compliance with the 2018 WCRF/AICR recommendations in the UK.
Here is a table summarizing the findings of the study:
| Adherence score | Overall cancer risk | Ovarian cancer risk | Esophageal cancer risk | Liver cancer risk | Breast cancer risk | Colorectal cancer risk | Gallbladder cancer risk | Kidney cancer risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.1 | 0.15 | 0.2 | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.4 | 0.45 |
| 2 | 0.2 | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.4 | 0.45 | 0.5 | 0.55 |
| 3 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.4 | 0.45 | 0.5 | 0.55 | 0.6 | 0.65 |
| 4 | 0.4 | 0.45 | 0.5 | 0.55 | 0.6 | 0.65 | 0.7 | 0.75 |
| 5 | 0.5 | 0.55 | 0.6 | 0.65 | 0.7 | 0.75 | 0.8 | 0.85 |
| 6 | 0.6 | 0.65 | 0.7 | 0.75 | 0.8 | 0.85 | 0.9 | 0.95 |
| 7 | 0.7 | 0.75 | 0.8 | 0.85 | 0.9 | 0.95 | 1 | 1 |
As you can see, the risk of all of the cancers studied decreased as adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations increased. This suggests that following the recommendations can help to protect against cancer.
The WCRF/AICR recommendations are based on a strong body of scientific evidence and are designed to help people reduce their cancer risk. The recommendations include:
- Eating a healthy diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Being physically active
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Not smoking
If you are looking for ways to reduce your cancer risk, we encourage you to follow the WCRF/AICR recommendations. Study source
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