According to the American Cancer Society up to 42% of all cancers are caused by modifiable risk factors

A large new study published in the journal CA:  A Cancer Journal for Clinicians by the American Cancer Society has listed the known risk factors for cancer. 

A total of 1,570,975 cases of cancer were examined, involving 26 types of cancer.  The American Cancer Society called the risk factors modifiable as individuals can take measures to prevent cancer from these risk factors by changing habits and making different lifestyle choices.  The study concluded that up to 42% of all cancers are down to modifiable risk factors.

The modifiable factors include:

Alcohol intake

Smoking

Excess body weight  

Low dietary fibre

Eating processed red meat

Low intake of fruit and vegetables  

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

Low calcium

A lack of physical activity  

6 infections previously linked with cancer were also included as risk factors.