
Research
Roundup: Half of Cancer Deaths Globally Could be Prevented, New Report Finds; and More News
7 min. read
Written By: John Fernandez
Published: July 3, 2025
Written By: John Fernandez
Published: July 3, 2025
Half of Cancer Deaths Globally are Likely Preventable Via Modifiable Risk Factors: Researchers
Understanding and addressing the risk factors that contribute to cancer can save millions of lives globally each year. The 4th edition of The Cancer Atlas, a report published by the American Cancer Society (ACS) in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), concludes that nearly 50 percent of all cancer deaths globally are attributed to modifiable risk factors.
This finding underscores the urgent need for preventative measures and global cooperation to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide, the ACS states in a news release.
Modifiable risk factors are behaviors or environmental exposures that influence the likelihood of developing cancer, but can be changed or mitigated to improve health outcomes. Examples include:
- Tobacco use – The leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for millions of deaths annually.
- Unhealthy diets – Diets high in processed foods, red meat, or lacking fruits and vegetables increase cancer risks.
- Physical inactivity – Sedentary lifestyles heighten the risk of colorectal, breast, and other cancers.
- Alcohol consumption – Associated with cancers of the liver, mouth, breast, and more.
- Excess body weight – A major driver of endometrial, pancreatic, and colon cancers.
- Exposure to infections – Viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B (HBV) are linked to cervical and liver cancers, respectively.
A Global Perspective on Cancer’s Impact
Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, with 19 million new cases and 10 million fatalities reported annually. Unless significant action is taken, these numbers could climb to 33 million cases and 18 million deaths by 2050, largely due to population growth and aging. Among the most concerning statistics found by the ACS and IARC:
- Lung cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, claiming around 1.8 million lives each year.
- Less than 10 percent of women in low-income regions have been screened for cervical cancer, compared to over 80 percent in many high-income countries. Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for women in 29 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Current tobacco use – despite its role as a driving force behind many cancers – persists across the globe, with over a billion people using tobacco products.
These numbers represent not just individual tragedies but systemic gaps in health education, prevention, and care access.
The Power of Prevention
The good news is that prevention works, and proven strategies exist to reduce cancer risk substantially. According to The Cancer Atlas editors, prioritizing resource-appropriate measures is key. For example:
- Health Promotion: Educating communities about nutrition, physical activity, and the dangers of smoking and drinking supports healthier lifestyles.
- Tobacco Control: Regulating tobacco advertising, raising taxes, and implementing public bans can significantly lower smoking rates.
- Vaccination Programs: Ensuring access to vaccines such as HPV and HBV can prevent infection-related cancers.
- Screening and Early Diagnosis: Cancer detected early is more treatable, yet many low-income countries lack widespread screening programs.
A critical point emphasized by ACS experts is that while many countries have interventions available, political will and resource allocation often lag.
Explore screening, treatment services provided by Miami Cancer Institute and Lynn Cancer Institute, partners in Baptist Health Cancer Care.
How Daily Walking Can Reduce the Risk of Chronic Low Back Pain: New Study
A new study sheds light on a simple yet effective way to reduce the risk of developing chronic lower back pain: walking regularly.
Chronic low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. It affects millions of people and imposes a significant burden on healthcare systems. The research, conducted in Norway using data from the Trøndelag Health (HUNT) Study, aimed to determine whether the amount and intensity of walking are associated with the risk of developing chronic low back pain.
Researchers tracked 11,194 adults aged 20 and older who did not have chronic LBP at the start of the study. Participants wore accelerometers—devices that objectively measure movement—between 2017 and 2019. They were then followed up between 2021 and 2023 to assess whether they developed chronic LBP, defined as back pain lasting three months or longer within the previous year.
Key Findings
The analysis revealed a clear “inverse relationship” between daily walking time and the risk of developing chronic LBP. In other words, the more people walked, the less likely they were to report chronic back pain later.
- Participants who walked more than 100 minutes per day experienced a 23 percent lower risk of chronic LBP compared to those walking less than 78 minutes per day.
- Those walking 101 to 124 minutes per day had a relative risk of 0.77 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.68–0.87), and those walking 125 minutes or more had a relative risk of 0.76 (CI: 0.67–0.87). A relative risk less than 1 indicates reduced risk.
- Walking intensity, measured in metabolic equivalents of task (METs)—a unit used to estimate energy expenditure—was also associated with reduced risk but to a lesser degree than duration. For example, walking at an intensity of 3.12 to 3.26 METs per minute was linked to an RR of 0.82.
What Do METs Mean?
METs (Metabolic Equivalents of Task) quantify the energy cost of physical activities. One MET equals the energy expended at rest. Walking at about 3 METs equates to a moderate pace (roughly 3 miles per hour). This means even moderate walking, not just brisk walking or vigorous exercise, provides protective benefits.
After adjusting for both volume and intensity, the association between walking volume and reduced risk of chronic LBP remained strong. The effect of intensity, however, was somewhat reduced. This suggests that total time spent walking may matter more than how fast or vigorously one walks.
As the authors of the study concluded: “Daily walking volume and walking intensity were inversely associated with the risk of chronic LBP. The findings suggest that walking volume may have a more pronounced benefit than walking intensity.”
Implications for Public Health
This study supports the promotion of walking as a preventive strategy for chronic low back pain. Walking is a low-cost, accessible, and low-impact activity suitable for nearly all age groups. With an aging population and growing rates of sedentary lifestyles, incorporating daily walking into public health guidelines could significantly reduce the prevalence of chronic LBP.
The researchers emphasize the importance of developing “policies and public health strategies promoting walking” as a way to ease the global burden of low back pain.
Smoking Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline, Compared to Non-Smokers
A study conducted over a decade -- involving more than 32,000 participants aged 50 and above from 14 European countries -- identified smoking as a key contributor to faster brain aging. These findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, underscore the importance of adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle choices to preserve cognitive health.
Cognitive decline refers to the gradual deterioration of thinking skills, such as memory, verbal fluency, and problem-solving. While this process is a natural part of aging, certain factors, like lifestyle habits, can influence its speed. According to the study led by researchers at the University College London (UCL), smoking is one of the most detrimental behaviors.
The study's data revealed that smokers experienced cognitive decline at rates 85 percent faster than their non-smoking counterparts over a ten-year period. Cognitive function was measured using tests that assessed memory and verbal skills, offering an objective view of mental performance. This stark difference between smokers and non-smokers highlights the pressing need for effective interventions targeting smoking cessation.
Mitigation Through Healthier Lifestyle Approach
The study also pointed out that the negative effects of smoking could be partially mitigated by incorporating other healthy lifestyle choices. Smokers who regularly exercised, consumed alcohol in moderation, and maintained active social lives demonstrated cognitive decline rates comparable to those of non-smokers. This suggests that while smoking is particularly harmful, engaging in multiple positive health behaviors can help offset its impact.
The Broader Significance of Healthy Habits
The researchers explored a range of lifestyle behaviors to assess their individual and combined effects on cognitive aging. These behaviors included:
- Physical activity: Regular exercise supports blood flow to the brain, nourishing neurons and enhancing neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections.
- Moderate alcohol consumption: Defined as consuming alcohol within recommended limits, this behavior has been linked in some studies to reduced inflammation and improved cardiovascular health, which, in turn, support brain function.
- Social engagement: Staying socially connected stimulates mental activity, potentially delaying the onset of cognitive decline.
Importantly, these behaviors do not eliminate the risks associated with smoking but may minimize their severity, researchers emphasize. For non-smoking individuals, adopting these practices may further protect against cognitive issues as they age.
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