Almost half of global cancer deaths are due to risk factors - with smoking, alcohol use, and high BMI the greatest contributors
According to the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) 2019 study, smoking, alcohol use, high Body Mass Index (BMI), and other risk factors caused 4.45 million cancer deaths in 2019.
The new study estimates how risk factors contribute to cancer deaths and ill health globally, regionally, nationally, across age groups, for both sexes, and over time. 34 risk factors accounted for 4.45 million cancer deaths globally in 2019 (44.4% of all cancer deaths) for both sexes combined, with smoking, alcohol use, and high BMI as the leading causes. In 2019, 50.6% (2.88 million) of male cancer deaths were due to estimated risk factors, compared to 36.3% (1.58 million) of female cancer deaths.
Environmental, occupational, and behavioral risks killed and disabled more men than women. Global cancer deaths due to risk factors climbed by 20.4% from 2010 to 2019 and varied based on country development.
The authors recommended investing in risk-reduction strategies and strengthening health systems for early diagnosis and effective treatment.
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