Research Suggests Some 50% of Cancers Result from Preventable Factors

Cancer is said to be the second-leading cause of death globally, following heart disease. Among the different types of cancer, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, followed by colorectal and liver cancers. A new study suggests that roughly 44% of the deaths caused by cancer can be attributed to risk factors that are preventable. These factors include drinking too much alcohol, smoking and having a high BMI.

The researchers were focused on analyzing the relationship between cancer and various risk factors, using data obtained from the Global Burden of Disease project by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. For their study, the researchers analyzed global data on cancer deaths and disability in the period between 2010 and 2019. They examined more than 20 types of cancer and 34 risk factors.

The researchers found that the leading cancer type in terms of risk-attributable deaths for both women and men around the globe during the period was lung cancer, bronchus cancer and tracheal cancer. They also found that risk-attributable cancer deaths were increasing globally, rising by almost 21% between 2010 and 2019. The researchers also found that the leading regions in the matter of risk-attributable death rates were Western Europe, Southern Latin America, North America, East Asia and Central Europe.

Dr. Chris Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, was involved in the study. In the report, Murray and colleagues stated that this research represented the biggest effort to determine the worldwide burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, adding that it contributed to a growing body of evidence focused on estimating the burden for certain cancers at the national as well as global scale.

The researchers also explained that their findings showed that a significant proportion of the worldwide cancer burden had potential for prevention via interventions aimed at decreasing exposure to known risk factors. They noted that for maximum effectiveness, cancer risk reduction efforts must be combined with comprehensive strategies to control cancer, which include effective treatment and efforts to support early diagnosis.

The study, which reported its findings in “The Lancet” journal, was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

A separate study also found that a substantial increase in median BMI, along with the use of alcohol and cigarette smoking increased the number of preventable cancer deaths. In this report, researchers highlighted the importance of cancer screening, especially for individuals with a heightened risk of developing cancer. This study’s findings were published in the “International Journal of Cancer.”

Cancer cases are on an upward trajectory around the world, and companies such as QSAM Biosciences Inc. (OTCQB: QSAM) are focused on developing new lines of treatments that will be more efficacious for pediatric and adult cancer patients without the often-debilitating side effects that so often characterize current treatments.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to QSAM Biosciences Inc. (OTCQB: QSAM) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QSAM

About BioMedWire

BioMedWire (BMW) is a bio-med news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to millions of social media followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with BMW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. BMW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from BioMedWire, text “Biotech” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.biomedwire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer

BioMedWire (BMW)
San Francisco, California
www.biomedwire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com

BioMedWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.