[Unpublished]
The Causes Of Cancer
Our daily habits matter more than you think in keeping you healthy, but what habits specifically are linked to an increased risk of cancer?
The Causes Of Cancer
Our daily habits matter more than you think in keeping you healthy, but what habits specifically are linked to an increased risk of cancer?
Researchers in the United States conducted an analysis of data linking risky habits to cancer risk and death.
Let’s break down their findings.
Gender Differences
The researchers identified differences in risk factors for both men and women. For men, smoking, UV radiation and HIV/HCV infection was more common for cancer risk.
On the other hand, women had to watch out for excess body weight, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.
These differences also applied to the risk factors, which we will discuss below.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking was the leading factor behind cancer cases in the analysis, contributing to 19.3% of all factors. It contributes to potentially preventable cancer cases by 56% in men and 39.9% in women.
1. For Men and Women
It contributes to 22.7% of cancer cases in men and 15.8% in women. This is likely due to smoking being seen as a more “masculine” vice, and is more likely to be picked up by men than women. Smoking contributes to 32.2% of cancer related deaths in men and 24.4% in women.
2. The types of cancer as a result of smoking were also analyzed:
Lung cancer (85.6%)
Trachea cancer (85.6%)
Laryngeal cancer (80.1%)
Pharyngeal cancer (56.8%)
Oral cancer (54.8%)
Nasal cavity cancer (54.2%)
Esophagal cancer (53.9%)
Urinary bladder cancer (50.7%)
This risk factor extended to second hand smoke, which was attributed to 2.7% of lung cancer cases. These cases were more likely to affect men than women.
Obesity
The next biggest culprit in the study was excess body weight, contributing 4.8% cancer cases in men and 10.6% in women. The reason for women being at a higher risk is likely due to the fact that women tend to store more fat in their bodies than men.
1. Types of cancer linked to excess body weight for men:
Kidney and renal pelvis cancers: 14,680 cases
Liver cancer: 7,590 cases
Esophageal cancer: 5,800 cases
2. For women:
Corpus uteri (uterine) cancer: 32,090 cases
Breast cancer: 30,720 cases
Kidney and renal pelvis cancers: 8,950 cases
3. Types of cancers closely linked to obesity:
Corpus uteri (53.1%)
Gallbladder (37.1%)
Esophagus (35.4%)
Liver (34.9%)
Kidney and renal pelvis (33.8%)
Alcohol Intake
Alcohol poisons your liver, and it’s now clear that drinking also increases the risk of several types of cancer in both men and women. Recent data show that alcohol is one of the top lifestyle-related causes of cancer.
Here’s what the numbers reveal:
1. Overall impact:
Alcohol was the 4th largest cause of cancer in men, responsible for 4.7% of all cases (about 42,400 men).
In women, it ranked 3rd, causing 6.2% of all cancers (around 54,330 women).
2. By cancer type in men:
Nearly half of oral cavity cancers (49.9%) and 44.6% of pharyngeal cancers were linked to alcohol.
Colorectal cancer was also significant, with 13,850 cases related to alcohol use.
3. In women:
Breast cancer showed the largest impact with 44,180 cases tied to alcohol.
Alcohol also contributed to 25.1% of oral cavity, 24.2% of esophageal, and 22.5% of pharyngeal cancers.
Colorectal cancer was also affected, with 4,630 cases linked to alcohol.
4. Men vs. women:
Alcohol-related cancer rates were generally higher in men, except for esophageal cancer, which showed a slightly greater link in women.
Processed Foods
What you eat every day has a direct impact on your long-term cancer risk. Poor dietary habits such as eating too much processed meat or not enough fruits, vegetables are linked to thousands of cancer cases every year.
1. Overall impact:
4.9% of all cancers in men (about 44,850 cases) and 3.4% in women (29,380 cases) are caused by unhealthy dietary patterns.
When diet is combined with other lifestyle risks — like alcohol, excess body weight, and inactivity — the total jumps to 15.3% in men and 22.5% in women.
2. By diet type and cancer risk:
Low dietary calcium is linked to 4.2% of colorectal cancers (6,090 cases).
High red meat intake is linked to 7.3% of colorectal cancers (10,610 cases). Low dietary fiber is linked to 10.5% of colorectal cancers (15,150 cases).
Processed meat consumption had the highest impact, 12.8% of colorectal cancers (18,540 cases).
3. Low fruit and vegetable intake:
Responsible for 30.7% of cancers in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and larynx.
Oral cavity cancer had the largest number of cases (9,520) linked to poor fruit and vegetable intake.
4. Men vs. women:
Cancer risks from diet were similar between men and women, except that low calcium intake affected women slightly more.
Physical Inactivity
Being inactive increases the chance of developing several types of cancer. Studies show that lack of regular movement is linked to thousands of cancer cases each year.
Here’s what the data shows:
1. Overall impact:
Physical inactivity was the 6th largest cause of cancer in men, linked to 1.8% of all cases (16,540 men).
In women, it ranked 4th, responsible for 4.4% of all cases (38,030 women).
2. By cancer type:
Stomach cancer showed the highest proportion related to inactivity, at 18.1% (4,520 cases).
Breast cancer in women had the greatest number of cases linked to inactivity, with 18,810 cases.
Colon cancer was also strongly connected, with 9,930 cases attributed to physical inactivity.
3. Men vs women:
The overall risk was similar between men and women, although women had more total cases connected to inactivity.
In summary: Regular movement, such as walking or exercising a few times a week, can reduce the risk of cancers like breast, colon, and stomach cancer. Staying active is a simple and effective way to support long-term health.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Research shows that many cancer cases are linked to everyday lifestyle habits. In the United States:
7–8% of all cancers are caused by excess body weight
4–5% are linked to alcohol consumption
4% are tied to poor dietary habits
3% are due to physical inactivity
Together, these factors account for a large share of preventable cancers. The good news is that simple lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk.
Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular activity, limiting alcohol intake, and choosing more fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods can all make a meaningful difference. Reducing processed meats and staying active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week can further lower your cancer risk. Even small improvements in daily habits can lead to major long-term health benefits. Your everyday choices truly matter when it comes to preventing cancer.
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