World Cancer Day: Did you know these lifestyle choices and food habits are increasing risk of cancer?

According to the World Health Organizationrsquos latest data there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 97 million deaths worldwide in 2022 About 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime The disease is a leading cause of death with approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women dying due to itIn India there were 141 million new cancer cases and 09 million deaths due to the disease in 2022World Cancer Day is observed onFebruary 4every year to raise awareness about the growing cancer incidence and facilitate action for reducing disease risk and improving cancer careSeveral biological chemical and environmental factors can interact to cause the condition While some of these are out of onersquos control deliberate lifestyle choices like consuming tobacco also contribute in increasing cancer riskOverlooked habits increasing cancer riskConsuming tobacco alcoholUnhealthy lifestyle including inadequate exercise and poorquality foodSleep deprivationSmokingStoring hot food in plastic containersUsing chemicalladen cosmeticsDr Shishir N Shetty Senior ConsultantSurgical Oncology Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi informs ldquoMore than 50 per cent of cancers are caused due to unhealthy lifestyle Inadequate exercise eating poor quality or junk food and not sleeping well are known to have major effects on the body including obesity which can increase cancer risk Also consumption of alcohol tobacco highly processed food processed meat and use of certain cosmetics and house cleaning agents which have benzene and formaldehyde are known to be potential risk factors of cancerrdquo he addsSharing other overlooked practices that can prove to be risk factors Dr Pritesh Munot Medical Oncologist Zynova Shalby Hospital Mumbai says ldquoCertain daily habits and lifestyle choices can significantly increase your chances of being exposed to cancercausing agents This can include practices and situations like using plastic containers to store hot food applying chemicalladen cosmetics excessive smoking and exposure to pesticidesrdquoThe link between diet and cancerAccording to Ushakiran Sisodia Chief Dietician Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre fructose syrup added to bakery products processed and refined foods frozen foods and those with zero fibre can prove to be harmful Unhealthy food kept in the open and too much refrigeration can also be risk factorsFoods that can increase cancer riskFoods that contain too many preservatives and artificial coloursHighly processed foodsFoods that are high in sugar or have high caloriesFried grilled or charred meatAlcoholTo prevent cancer risk individuals are advised to eat wellbalanced and healthy foods Your diet should include plenty of fruits vegetables whole grains nuts and antioxidantrich foods Eat fibrerich foods like flaxseeds or whole grains to support your gut health while lowering the cancer riskrdquo advises Dr MunotProbiotic foods naturally prepared at home are good for health Traditional food preparation and avoiding fast food is essential recommends SisodiaExisting diseases and risk of cancerWhile some lifestyle factors may not directly cause cancer they can cause other diseases which in turn can contribute to developing cancerDr Munot informs ldquoExisting health conditions and diseases can also increase the risk of developing cancer Conditions like obesity diabetes or gastrointestinal issues can cause chronic inflammation while severely damaging cellsrdquoDr Shetty further states ldquoSome existing conditions like obesity diabetes viral infections like human papillomavirus HPV hepatitis B hepatitis C EpsteinBarr virus autoimmune diseases like lupus very rarely polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS or polycystic ovarian disease can be one of the causatives for cancerrdquoThe role of simple lifestyle changes in reducing cancer risk is often overlooked From daily activities to food consumption every aspect impacts health It is thus essential to make healthy lifestyle choices not only to prevent cancer but to maintain overall wellbeing