Scimex: Bowel cancer rates could be considerably reduced by tackling obesity,
alcohol consumption, smoking and red and processed meat consumption
alongside increased physical activity, according to New Zealand
researchers. Colorectal cancer accounts for almost 10 per cent of
cancers worldwide, but New Zealand has one of the highest rates. The new
study calculated the relative risks for several factors and found
obesity and alcohol consumption were the most important modifiable
lifestyle factors. In an accompanying editorial, University of Otago
scientists cautioned against using this information to "victim blame"
those affected by cancer. Instead, it was crucial for government to
"accept the reality that riskfactors for cancer can be modified by a
public health response."
