95,000 people diagnosed with preventable cancer

6:09pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

THE number of people diagnosed with preventable cancer each year would fill the Reebok Stadium more than three times, according to a leading expert.

Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific advisor for the World Cancer Research Fund, is using the example to urge people to adopt a healthier lifestyle in a bid to reduce their risk of cancer.

He is using Cancer Prevention Week, which will run until May 19, to highlight the importance of healthy eating, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight as ways of reducing the risk of cancer, as well as giving up smoking.

It is estimated 95,000 people are diagnosed with potentially preventable cases of cancer every year.

Prof Wiseman said: "When you think about what the Reebok looks like when it's full of people for a Bolton home game, it is a sobering thought that every year in the UK we estimate that more than three times this number of people are diagnosed with a cancer that might have been prevented.

"We need to remember that for every single one of those cases, there is a devastating impact on the lives of the people who are diagnosed and also on their families, not to mention the financial cost of treatment. This is why we need to do more to promote the message that with relatively simple changes, people can make a real difference to their cancer risk."

Changes include being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, avoiding sugary drinks and energy-densed foods, eating more fruit and vegetables, limit red meat and processed food, limit alcoholic drinks, salty foods and following any treatment for cancer follow the recommendations they are given for prevention.