Following a healthy diet and spending a small amount of time in the sun could prevent 155,000 cancer cases per year, a new study has identified.
A team of academics have found that 400 cancer cases could be prevented each day in the UK if people adopted more healthier lifestyles.
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According to the World Cancer Research Fund, not smoking and reducing your red meat and alcohol intake can combat the development of cancer.
In 2019/20, more than 380,000 cancer cases were reported, with breast cancer and prostate cancer being the most common.
Data shows that lung cancer causes the most deaths, with 34,171 people dying from the disease in 2019/20.
People who are obese or overweight are more likely to be diagnosed with 13 types of cancer, including liver, breast, pancreatic, bowel, womb and kidney.
In the UK, 60% of adults and 30% of children are obese or overweight, research has reported.
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Dr Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu said: “The growing population will see numbers continue to rise over the next few decades.
“Over the years, research has estimated that around 40% of cancers are associated with modifiable risk factors.”
She added: “Screening plays a vital role in improving cancer outcomes – the earlier someone is diagnosed, the more likely they are to survive.”
Prior studies show that 70% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Previous research has reported that overall cancer cases would drop significantly if nobody in England smoked.
