Midlife lifestyle change lowers cancer risk

Changing lifestyle in midlife may reduce cancer risk, states a European study released by the Danish Cancer Society. The research observed that individuals adopting healthier habits over five to six years were less likely to develop cancer, says research leader Anja Olsen. The study involved 521,323 people from 23 countries, focusing on smoking, exercise, weight, and alcohol. Even minor improvements led to lower cancer rates. While smoking had the most substantial effect, benefits were noted across all parameters. The study pertains to cancers associated with lifestyle choices, and earlier research showed that following guidelines on smoking, alcohol, BMI, physical activity, and diet could prevent nearly 40% of cancer cases worldwide.