Balanced diet important in cancer prevention

Researchers say that diet is second only to tobacco in causing cancer. Dietary influences are thought to account for 40 per cent of cancers in the developed world, and 25 per cent in the developing world. Ongoing studies may provide detailed information on what to eat and what to avoid. Dr Tim Key, a scientist with Cancer Research you should concentrate on eating fruits, vegetables and cereals - and keeping to a healthy weight.

Decreases in physical activity in recent years have led to increasing obesity, which makes people more susceptible to a range of cancers - oesophagal, bowel, breast, womb and kidney. In addition, excess alcohol increases the risk of oesophagal, liver and throat cancers. Taking more exercise will help you ward off cancer - and fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk, independent of other factors. Giving up smoking remains the best way to reduce your risk - but if you don't smoke, attention to diet and exercise will help keep you free of cancer.