Lifestyle Modifications and Policy Implications for Primary and Secondary Cancer Prevention: Diet, Exercise, Sun Safety, and Alcohol Reduction

The role of diet and physical activity in cancer prevention and survivorship has been widely studied in epidemiology. Expert reports and consensus statements from leading cancer organizations suggest that these modifiable lifestyle behaviors account for between 30% and 50% of cancers.1,2 Several reports, including a systematic review, have demonstrated that if Americans were to adhere to the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for cancer prevention, cancer rates would be reduced by an estimated 17% overall and by up to 60% for select cancers (e.g., colorectal cancer) in high-risk groups.3,4 A major driver of cancer risk is obesity. Over the past several decades, rates of obesity have escalated to epidemic proportions in the United States, increasing cancer risk across the population. It is estimated that obesity accounts for 14% to 20% of the attributable cancer risk for U.S. adults and as much as 50% of all cancers for people younger than age 65.5 A 2016 report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)6 listed 13 cancers as “obesity related” and 18-year follow-up data from the Nurses’ Health Study demonstrate adult weight gain as having a major influence on cancer risk in adulthood.7 These findings highlight the need to promote life-long weight management as an effective strategy to reduce cancer burden. GUIDELINES FOR CANCER PREVENTION Section: ChooseTop of pageAbstractGUIDELINES FOR CANCER PRE... <