About 340,000 of Common Cancer Cases Preventable in U.S. – Lifestyle Factors Key to Saving Lives
February 10, 2011 GENEVA, Switzerland, 04 February 2011 – New estimates released today, on World Cancer Day,
by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)1
show that by eating a varied and healthy diet, undertaking regular physical activity, being at a healthy
weight and limiting alcohol intake, about 340,000 cases of cancer in United States could be
prevented each year. In fact, significant reductions in particularly common cancers could be achieved
including breast (38 percent of cases), stomach (47 percent of cases) and colon (45 percent of
cases).1
The AICR/WCRF findings are further supported by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new
Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health.2 This landmark report reinforces the
AICR/WCRF conclusion that regular physical activity can prevent many diseases such as breast and
colon cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The report provides concrete
recommendations for levels of physical activity needed for health at three ages (5-17 years, 18-64
years, and over age 65);2 these recommendations are especially helpful for low- and middle-income
countries, where few national guidelines for physical inactivity exist.
"Physical activity is recommended for people of all ages as a means to reduce risks for certain types
of cancers and other non-communicable diseases," says Dr. Tim Armstrong, from WHO's Department
of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. "In order to improve their health and prevent several
diseases, adults should do at least 150 minutes moderate physical activity throughout the week. This
can be achieved by simply walking 30 minutes five times per week or by cycling to work daily".
There is also consistent evidence that other choices we make personally or collectively can reduce
the risk of cancer including not using tobacco, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and protecting
against cancer-causing infections. To help fight the global cancer epidemic, the Union for
International Cancer Control (UICC) is urging Americans to take action and support the World Cancer
Declaration - at www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration
Signing the Declaration will help UICC in its effort to motivate global leaders to set realistic and
achievable directives for preventing cancer during the United Nations Summit for Non-Communicable
Diseases, which will be held in September, 2011. This will be only the second UN General Assembly
special session focused on health since 1947.
Dr Eduardo Cazap, President of UICC summarised, “Support World Cancer Day by signing the World
Cancer Declaration and help us achieve the goal of one million supporters for a Cancer Free World.
With individuals, governments and policy makers of the world working together, we have the ability to
ease the global burden of cancer now and for future generations.”
“The American Institute for Cancer Research is honored to be part of the effort to reduce cancer risk
both in the United States and across the world. We urge Americans to make the simple lifestyle
changes of eating healthy food, getting regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight to
reduce cancer risk,” said AICR/WCRF expert panel member Tim Byers, MD, MPH of the Colorado
School of Public Health. “We are making progress, but with hundreds of preventable cancer cases
still being diagnosed every day in the United States, and thousands worldwide, it’s imperative that we
all take action now through both the personal and collective choices we make. I urge everyone to sign
the World Cancer Declaration petition to move us forward in the fight against cancer everywhere.”