Personal Behaviors Are What Really Matters When It Comes To Avoiding Cancer

American Cancer Society
Saturday, 22 March 1997

Air pollution. Toxic chemicals. Electromagnetic radiation. Does everything cause cancer? It is sometimes easier for us to blame external factors like these as the reasons for most cancer. However, new science released here today by the American Cancer Society at the meeting of the American Association for Health Educators (AAHE) makes it clear that if you want the greatest control over your own likelihood of developing cancer, look to a few of your own behaviors.

Two factors, and perhaps a third, are directly responsible for about half of all cancer deaths in this country, said John R. Seffrin, PhD, CEO of the American Cancer Society and AAHE Scholar -- and we have direct personal control over all of them:

- Whether or not you smoke -- Tobacco is the cause of about 30 percent of all cancer deaths, and 19 percent of deaths from ALL conditions.

- What you eat and drink -- As much as 35 percent of all cancer deaths are related to our diets. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables reduce cancer risk.

- The degree to which you exercise and control your weight -- New American Cancer Society data show the probability of death from cancer and other causes also increases significantly depending on the degree of obesity and the level of physical activity.

Dr. Seffrin, during his address to the AAHE membership, released a first-ever analysis derived from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II (CPSII), the largest study of cancer mortality ever undertaken which, since 1982, has been following almost 1.2 million American survey subjects until death. Information about medical history, diet habits, environment and other health determinants were recorded for each subject as they enrolled, and are related to the causes of death and the age at which the subject dies.

The data released by Dr. Seffrin was derived from the records of more than 500,000 of these study subjects. All were judged to be healthy at the time of their enrollment.

Simply stated, the study data show that people who are smokers and never exercise and who eat diets low in fruits and vegetables, are about four times more likely to die prematurely than individuals who eat a healthy diet, exercise and don't smoke.

Premature death from cancer alone is about three times more likely in those with these unhealthy behaviors.

The death rates (from cancer, cardiovascular disease and all causes) of this large study group were related to the subjects' smoking status, exercise level, vegetable and fruit intake, and Body Mass Index, which is a measure of body weight or obesity. From this the American Cancer Society was able to determine probabilities of premature death by each lifestyle factor, and then for the most important ones combined. All data were also adjusted for age, race and education. Avoiding smoking and regular physical activity are the two most productive behaviors for lowering the risk of death from all causes in mid-life. In terms of reducing cancer risk specifically, the study shows that avoiding smoking and a diet high in fruits and vegetables are the strongest predictors.

"These findings dramatically illustrate the importance of public health education," Dr. Seffrin said. "With rather modest and inexpensive life-style changes, literally thousands of premature deaths during the prime of life could be avoided nationwide. It is clear that these few lifestyle changes can add life to your years and years to your life."

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org