The world faces a veritable tsunami of deaths and new cancer cases over the next two decades, a challenge experts believe is avoidable. track: 20% of cases are linked to smoking, drinking or unhealthy diet.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global cancer cases will increase by 47% in the next 20 years, from 19 million in 2020 to 30 million in 2040, especially in third world countries.
In addition, the number of deaths will increase from 10 million to 16.3 million over the same period, A real “tsunami” can only be avoided through preventionElisabete Weiderpass, director of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), warned today.
On the occasion of World Cancer Research Day, Weiderpass participated in a meeting in Madrid organized by the National Center for Research on Cancer (CNIO), which was also attended by Marina Pollán, director of the National Epidemiology Center of the Carlos III Institute of Health.
During the meeting, chaired by María Blasco, scientist and director of the CNIO, the three researchers emphasized the importance of prevention because Almost half of today’s cancers are preventable and healthy living habits.
In his speech, Wadepas explained that there are “certainly” a range of factors known to cause cancer: Tobacco, which is ” Public enemy number one”, in addition to killing one in two smokers, it causes twenty different types of cancer.
besides Other risk factors For example, he warned that drinking “even small amounts” is responsible for 741,000 cases of cancer in the world each year, or that obesity “causes 12 different types of cancer” and has become a global epidemic driven by alcohol consumption. Sugary drinks and ultra-processed products.
Likewise, experts recall that infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human papillomavirus can also cause cancer, but they all Preventable through screening, examinations and vaccinesunderlined.
Vedpath also stressed the value of research as it remains necessary Investigate other risk factors Examples include benzene, processed meat, environmental pollution or exposure to asbestos, exposure to lead or aspartame (artificial sweetener).
He concluded that studying, monitoring and preventing these factors was “the best and most profitable way to avoid cancer” for Wade Pass.Poland explains ‘Not everything is in genes’ Many types of cancer can be avoided by following simple guidelines, such as not smoking, not drinking alcohol, and following a healthy diet based on whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil.
In addition, Poland said that following World Health Organization instructions, such as avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and engaging in 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (equivalent to half an hour of brisk walking every day) can be of great help, lamenting that in Spain “40% Men and 30% of women” don’t exercise at all in their free time.