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Simple Lifestyle Diet Changes can Diffuse 'Cancer Timebomb'

by Dr. Sunil Shroff on May 21 2007 10:23 AM

A British cancer expert insists that making a few simple in their diet can help avert the 'cancer timebomb' facing his fellow countrymen and women these days.

Dr Greg Martin said that the UK is facing a 'cancer timebomb' because of rising levels of obesity.

He added that people must start eating right and exercising, as few are aware that excess fat around the stomach increases the production of the hormone oestrogen, which can be carcinogenic.

It is already being predicted that 12.6million Britons will be classed as obese by 2010. However, Dr Martin said while the surge in cancer cases would follow 'as surely as night follows day', he also insisted that 'simple changes' to in lifestyle could help avert the impending disaster.

'It's a huge chunk of the population. Each of these people is going to have an increased risk of cancer – but this is an avoidable risk factor,' the Daily Mail quoted him, as saying.

'This kind of increase cannot be explained by anything genetic. It's almost certainly a function of behaviour. It's something we can do something about,' he added.

'There has been plenty of attention recently on the problems of obesity, but a lot of people still do not realise how closely obesity is related to cancer,' he continued.

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'People getting fatter will lead to an increase in the number of cancer cases as surely as night follows day.

'You also have to add into the mix that cancer is largely an older person's disease, and the UK has an ageing population.

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'So if you have an ageing population that is getting more obese, there could be really serious consequences in terms of the number of people getting cancer if we do not act now. It's a cancer timebomb,' he said.

He added that it was frustrating for doctors, because all that was needed was a few simple changes in lifestyle.

'The frustrating thing is that people can make simple changes to their lifestyle to reduce their chances of getting cancer.

'It really is as simple as eating more healthily, making sure your portion size is not too big, and taking regular exercise.

'When you think what a devastating disease cancer is, it really is worth taking these simple steps because they can make a big difference,' he added.

Dr Martin is the science and research manager of the World Cancer Research Fund.

Source-ANI
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