Nearly Half of All Cancer Deaths Around the World Could Be Prevented
A new, first-of-its-kind global study found that nearly 1 in 2 cancer deaths — an estimated 4.45 million a year — can be attributed to preventable risk factors, with smoking, high body mass index (BMI), and drinking too much alcohol topping the list.Although cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide (after heart disease) this is the first study to look at a multitude of factors on a global level, according to the authors. The findings were published on August 20 in The Lancet.“This study illustrates that the burden of cancer remains an important public health challenge that is growing in magnitude around the world. Smoking continues to be the leading risk factor for cancer globally, with other substantial contributors to cancer burden varying,” said Christopher Murray, MD, DPhil, co-senior…