There is growing evidence supporting the impactful role of modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise in reducing the risk of cancer. A new study published in the medical journal Biomed Central examined cancer prevention recommendations' impact, finding lower cancer risk for those closely following seven guidelines, including weight maintenance and reduced red meat intake.
Empowering Cancer Prevention: Do Positive Lifestyle Changes Help Mitigate Risk?
Methods Used in the Study
Recent research reveals that individuals adhering to lifestyle recommendations from the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) experienced a lower risk of various cancers, including breast, colorectal, and ovarian.
Dr. Fiona Malcomson, a PhD and Lecturer in Human Nutrition at Newcastle University, emphasized that following the WCRF/AICR lifestyle-based Cancer Prevention Recommendations is associated with reduced cancer risk, particularly for two of the world's top four cancers. However, the study's observational nature prevents drawing direct causal relationships between adherence and cancer risk.
A scoring system was introduced for each recommendation, creating a measurable "score" to assess individual compliance. For instance, discontinuing sugary beverage consumption earned one point, while retaining sodas in the regular diet resulted in zero points.
More incremental scoring approaches allowed partial adherence to receive half a point. Researchers could then analyze health outcomes based on these scores to identify potential associations with cancer incidences.
Leveraging the UK Biobank, a forward-looking health study encompassing more than half a million participants aged 37-73 across the United Kingdom, researchers tapped into extensive datasets.
The study involved nearly 95,000 participants with an average age of 56 over an average 8-year follow-up period, during which 7,296 participants (approximately 8%) developed some form of cancer. Participants were assigned a score between 0-7 using the WCRF/AICR recommendations point system, reflecting their adherence level.
The study aimed to examine the relationship between adherence to lifestyle recommendations and the risk of all cancers and 14 specific lifestyle-related cancers. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the researchers assessed this association, adjusting for factors such as age, ethnicity, sex, Townsend deprivation index, and smoking status in their models.
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Lifestyle Changes Linked to Significant Cancer Risk Reduction
The study reveals significant reductions in cancer risk with lifestyle changes. Each point in adherence to WCRF/AICR recommendations corresponds to a 7% decrease in overall cancer risk.
Site-specific cancers, including breast (10%), colorectal (10%), kidney (18%), ovarian (24%), esophageal (22%), and gallbladder (30%) cancers, exhibit substantial risk reductions. Those with the highest adherence range (4.5-7) show a 16% lower risk of all cancers, with similar trends in site-specific cancers.
The 2018 recommendations by WCRF/AICR include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, a balanced diet, limiting processed foods, red meat, sugar, avoiding sugary beverages and alcohol, not using cancer-preventing supplements, and breastfeeding.
This research, based on the updated 2018 WCRF/AICR recommendations, demonstrates their protective impact on cancer risk, emphasizing small, manageable steps for positive change. Dr. Lidia Schapira from Stanford University underscores focusing on one or two recommendations at a time to make lifestyle changes more achievable and impactful. The study highlights the effectiveness of even minor improvements in lifestyle components, emphasizing the importance of adopting healthier practices for overall well-being.
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