750,000 doing nothing to cut cancer risk

CANCER is the most feared disease in Yorkshire - yet almost three quarter of a million adults in the region take no preventative action to reduce their risk of developing it.
Over 42 per cent of adults in Yorkshire say they maintain a healthy weight to reduce their cancer risk. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA WireOver 42 per cent of adults in Yorkshire say they maintain a healthy weight to reduce their cancer risk. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Over 42 per cent of adults in Yorkshire say they maintain a healthy weight to reduce their cancer risk. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

More people in Yorkshire and the Humber are worried about being diagnosed with cancer, 63 per cent, than dementia or Alzheimer’s, which worries 50 per cent, heart disease, (36 per cent), or a stroke, (33 per cent).

The research, by Aviva, comes as national cancer experts met in Yorkshire to draw up a strategy to tackle a North-South divide in cancer treatment which has seen Hull have the worst outcomes in the country for lung cancer.

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Adults in Yorkshire are most worried about being diagnosed with cancer than any other region - yet 17 per cent, the equivalent of around 750,000 people are failing to take simple lifestyle precautions to reduce their risk of developing the disease.

Only 42 per cent of adults in the region say they maintain a healthy weight to help prevent the disease developing, while 38 per cent do regular exercise for this purpose. And despite overexposure to UV radiation being the main cause of skin cancer, under half (48 per cent) minimise their exposure to the sun or use a high factor sun cream.

Chief executive of Yorkshire Cancer Research, Charles Rowett, said: “We are extremely concerned by the results of this survey. 40 per cent of cancers are caused by lifestyle factors and there are simple steps that people can take to reduce their risk of developing the disease, including improving your diet, becoming more active, reducing your alcohol intake and not smoking.

“Obviously this message is not being communicated strongly enough.”

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He said it was “vital” that more money is invested in public awareness campaigns to tackle the issue.

Aviva said the survey suggest people have a “lack of understanding” regarding the causes of cancer.

More than half did not identify consumption of alcohol as a cancer risk factor, and 59 per cent said they feel confused by reports of what to do and what not to do to reduce their risk.

Dr Doug Wright, medical director for Aviva UK Health said: “We now know that one in two people born after 1960 in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime. It has become very much embedded in the psyche of the nation, and represents one of people’s greatest health fears. Yet despite our high collective awareness of the disease, too many are failing to take any action to reduce their cancer risk. This is compounded by a lack of awareness surrounding the main causes of cancer, despite many high profile campaigns.”