Story by Kim Seung-bum
Life often presents challenges we cannot easily change—inherited constitutions, the passage of time, or unforeseen misfortunes.
Cancer, too, is often perceived as an unavoidable fate. However, recent cancer research tells a different story: abstaining from a single drink tonight or putting down a cigarette can significantly reduce cancer risk.
According to an analysis published on the 3rd in the medical journal *Nature Medicine* by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a subsidiary of the World Health Organization (WHO), 4 out of 10 newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors. The study analyzed 18.7 million patients across 185 countries who were diagnosed with 36 types of cancer in 2022.
Of these, 7.1 million cases (38%) were attributed to controllable risk factors. Smoking ranked highest at 15.1%, followed by viral or bacterial infections (10.2%), alcohol consumption (3.2%), and other factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and air pollution.
Notably, lung, stomach, and cervical cancers were found to have nearly half of their causes tied to these modifiable factors. This reaffirms that lifestyle changes—like quitting smoking or moderating alcohol intake—can substantially aid cancer prevention. Yet, these are often the very actions we postpone in daily life.
Cancer remains a daunting threat. The research team projected a 50% rise in new cancer cases by 2040 if current trends persist. However, this statistic need not incite despair.
The so-called “modifiable factors” are, in essence, daily choices: what we eat, how much we move, and whether we abandon harmful habits. While we cannot fully halt the tide of cancer, the steering wheel of our lives remains firmly in our hands, guiding us toward safer shores. Have a pleasant weekend.
