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Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

bbc.co.uk

21–30 of 126 posts

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#21
In more depressing news: 60% of cancers may not be due to lifestyle. The correct phrase would probably be "known lifestyle choices". But seriously, shouldn't people be surprised lifestyle only accounts for 40%. What if I rewrote the entry paragraph in the following way:

Nearly half of low intelligence diagnosed in the UK each year - over 130,000 in total - are caused by avoidable life choices including not reading, debating, or thinking about interesting problems.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#22
post #15

So if these 40% of cancers were eliminated, what's the chances that the survivors would have ended up with one of the remaining 60%? You have to die of something. What's important is years of high-quality life, rather than merely avoiding death from any specific ailment. And of course, quality is ultimately a subjective measure. All the behaviours that you must conform to, to avoid these specific deaths, may themselv…

Eating healthy and exercising improves the quality of your life right now, as well as in the future. As does cutting back on alcohol, and smoking.

That seems like it depends heavily on what you consider "quality of life". In any case, it needs a lot more data to determine (alcohol in particular seems to have both complex health effects, and complex, culture-dependent sociological/psychological effects).

I could just as easily assert the opposite: eating fewer steaks and drinking less reduces your quality of life, right now.*

* But may increase it in the future, depending on various factors.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#23
post #15

So if these 40% of cancers were eliminated, what's the chances that the survivors would have ended up with one of the remaining 60%? You have to die of something. What's important is years of high-quality life, rather than merely avoiding death from any specific ailment. And of course, quality is ultimately a subjective measure. All the behaviours that you must conform to, to avoid these specific deaths, may themselv…

Eating healthy and exercising improves the quality of your life right now, as well as in the future. As does cutting back on alcohol, and smoking.

One or two drinks a day is shown to have health benefits in other studies.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#24

Can someone explain how lack of fruit and vegetables leads to cancer? I can understand it leading to colon cancer, but does it also lead to other kinds of cancer? AFAIK even if you never eat fruits/vegetables you aren't lacking any micronutrients?

There are more complex things at play here. Some foods actually contain compounds that reduce or prevent tumor growth. Cabbage for example has highest levels of two anti-cancer glucosinolates and protects against breast cancer and bread crust; has highest levels of Interlukin-B which protects against colon cancer.

As a real world example; Polish women have the lowest incidence of breast cancer and the highest consumption of cabbage.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#25
post #16
post #14

What about the other 60%? I'd argue that for, a lot of people living in developed countries, things like exposure to poor air quality should be considered a lifestyle choice.

Such things aren't choices in any conventional sense of the word - they're package deals, and you don't get to renegotiate the package. You can live in London for the opportunities and culture, but you can't easily escape the crime and traffic pollution.

That's true, but I think that's an overlooked factor in some other "lifestyle choices" as well. For example, people who significantly reduce their alcohol consumption often report changing social groups and activities to do so, so in at least some cases it can be a package deal. I don't think there are very many choices that are completely isolated, independent from all other choices, and free of consequence on any other aspect of your life, though there's definitely a spectrum of being more or less so.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#26
The top comment is from a healthy smoker of 65. People always love to discuss how they or someone they know has smoked their entire life and never had a problem. I know lots of smokers who still aren't convinced of the health issues. Seems like there's still a long way to go.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#27
What I always wondered about eating healthy is, is it the unhealthy foods on their own that is the root cause, or the fact that unhealthy eaters don't eat wholesome foods?

For example, if I eat McDonalds, but then I also eat a bunch of fruits and veggies, would that mitigate the risk?

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#28
post #26

The top comment is from a healthy smoker of 65. People always love to discuss how they or someone they know has smoked their entire life and never had a problem. I know lots of smokers who still aren't convinced of the health issues. Seems like there's still a long way to go.

It depends on the person,

I got a nan, 96, walks to town 3 times a week, still rides her bike, been smoking 60 a day for 40 years, and recently cut back to 40. If i compare her to my other nan 86 frail and pretty much falling apart, now guess which one has had the better lifestyle? the second, very well off always comfortable.

At 96 i think she gets up to keep smoking, and if that keeps her alive then keep doing it.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#29
post #6

Right, I'm off to find some fruits and vegetables! Or do I get enough antioxidants as a tea-drinker? I'm conflicted because I know I don't get enough fruit in my diet, but the recommended daily amount of fruit seems difficult to get in the winter.

Buy frozen fruit, make smoothies for breakfast. Easy, tasty, and not particularly expensive.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/buff-smoothie...

Since going vegan, that's been my nightly ritual: throw frozen fruit, bananas (one large or two small), juice, and vanilla soy milk in the blender carafe and put it in the refrigerator. I like to add ground flaxseed for the ALA as well.

Re: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle, says review

#30
post #9

This was on BBC news the other day. Apparently eating well, drinking in moderation, not smoking and regular exercise reduce the risk of cancer. When interviewed, man hiding under rock expressed surprise and gratitude for the update.

Not to mention reduction in heart disase, joint pain, shortness of breath and the quality of life.

Which is why so few people do it.

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