Healthier Habits Could Save Millions From Cancer

According to a recent report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) urging governments to avoid a public health disaster, healthier lifestyles could prevent millions of non-communicable deaths each year. In less than 10 years, cancers have increased globally by 20 percent to approximately 12 million new cases annually. Each year cancer, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes account for approximately 36 million deaths globally. Experts expect these numbers to increase significantly over the next 20 years, reaching more than 50 million deaths annually by 2030. If societies fail to act swiftly and immediately, experts feel future charities that currently exist to deal with disasters and famines will also be needed to help pay for cancer care. However, by simply reducing alcohol intake, improving diets, eliminating smoking and increasing physical activity experts state a third of all common cancers could be eliminated. These same changes would also significantly reduce other non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.