Causes and prevention

Preventing cancer is one of the most effective ways of creating a cancer-free future.

Choosing a cancer-smart lifestyle could prevent at least one in three cases.

Over 13,000 cancer deaths a year are due to smoking, sun exposure, poor diet, alcohol, inadequate exercise or being overweight. However, lifestyle changes reduce your risk.

What causes cancer?

We do not know all the causes of cancer. However, chemical, physical, and biological factors can cause mistakes in the cell's blueprint that lead to cancer. These factors are known as carcinogens, which include tobacco, UV radiation, and asbestos.

Many cancers share common risk factors, meaning the same habits or conditions can increase the likelihood of developing different types of cancer. By understanding these shared risks, such as smoking, diet, or lack of physical activity, we can take steps to reduce the chance of developing cancer and live healthier lives.

Understanding cancer risk factors:

• Two in every three deaths in current long-term smokers have a direct link to smoking.
• Alcohol use is linked to about 4.5% of cancers.
• Many cancers occur as a direct result of dietary influences, from infectious agents or exposure to radiation.
• Some cancers result from inherited ‘faulty’ genes.
• Cancer is NOT caused by injury or stress.

It is important to note that not all cancers are associated with the risk factors mentioned above. Cancer can sometimes develop without any specific causes.

Explore facts and figures here.