Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Are 40% of cancer cases preventable through lifestyle changes?

Clinton Engelberger | Suncoast Searchlight, Suncoast Searchlight

yes

A 2024 study shows that about 40% of cancer cases might be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle choices.

The study found that four in 10 cancer cases and half of all cancer-related deaths for adults over 30 could have been linked to risk factors including cigarette smoking, consuming alcohol, diet, excess body weight, sun exposure and physical inactivity.

Cigarette smoking was the biggest risk factor, accounting for roughly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of deaths.

Excess body weight was the second largest risk factor at 7.6%, followed by alcohol consumption (5.4%), UV radiation exposure (4.6%) and physical inactivity (3.1%).

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cited this statistic in a September speech touting the work of The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

American Cancer Society Study: Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States
American Cancer Society Press Release
North Carolina Medical Society Lifestyle Choices Responsible for 40 Percent of Cancers

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Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by newsrooms in the Gigafact network.

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Are 40% of cancer cases preventable through lifestyle changes?

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