About five percent of cancers are genetically linked. Lifestyle factors play an even greater role. So what can you do to cut your cancer risk? We answer a viewer question from Afghanistan.
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00:00How can you avoid getting cancer?
00:07It can develop almost anywhere in the body.
00:11A range of different factors can play a role in causing cancer,
00:15and while many kinds are not preventable,
00:18there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it.
00:22Doctors list smoking as the greatest risk factor.
00:27Around 1 in 5 cancer diagnoses has been attributed to it.
00:36Alcohol is also a major risk factor.
00:40For a long time, experts underestimated the link between obesity and cancer,
00:45but many countries are now seeing a rise in bowel cancer among young adults.
00:50Anyone who is obese by the age of 20
00:53has more than twice the risk of developing cancer as someone of average weight,
00:58and for those who remain obese, the risk increases with every year.
01:02What's called visceral abdominal fat is particularly problematic.
01:07It surrounds the internal organs and leads to chronic inflammation,
01:12which can promote tumour development.
01:15Fat cells also release estrogen, which can stimulate cancer cell growth,
01:20and people who are overweight produce excess insulin, which is another risk factor.
01:26So it makes sense to reduce body fat, particularly around the belly.
01:30You can do this through exercise
01:37and by eating a balanced diet.
01:40Certain foods like broccoli,
01:43radishes,
01:45Brussels sprouts,
01:47or white cabbage have cancer-fighting properties.
01:51Berries and apples also contain cell-protecting substances,
01:56as do medicinal and aromatic plants like garlic, ginger and saffron.
02:03Around 40% of cancers could be prevented by a healthy lifestyle,
02:08but cancer can arise due to many causes, among them pollutants and genetic factors.
02:14That's why it's important to have regular medical screenings, if they're available.