According to health experts, exercising more, losing weight and drinking less could decrease the number of Britons getting cancer by 84,000 a year.
New figures from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have shown that making small changes towards healthier lifestyles could help prevent around a third of cancer cases in the UK.
More than 350,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with cancer in 2013 – the highest annual number of cases ever recorded – and the figure is expected to increase so long as levels of obesity and inactivity are also rising.
“The number of cases of cancer is increasing each year, but we mustn’t stand by idly and watch – there are things we can do,” said Rachel Thompson, WCRF’s head of research interpretation.
“There is no doubt that simple changes to diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference in the battle against cancer. Even minor adjustments, like 10 to 15 extra minutes of physical activity each day, cutting down on alcohol, or limiting your intake of high calorie foods and sugary drinks, will help decrease your cancer risk.”
Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “The harsh reality is that we are currently behind on cancer survival rates in comparison to our European counterparts, and a major factor is that cancer prevention is not in the public consciousness.
