Causes of cancer and reducing your risk
Can cancer be prevented?
Around 4 in 10 UK cancer cases could be prevented.
Smoking and tobacco
If you smoke, stopping is the best thing you can do for your health and to reduce your cancer risk.
Obesity and weight
Keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer.
Sun and UV
Staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds reduces the risk of melanoma skin cancer.
Physical activity
Being more active can help us keep a healthy weight and reduce the risk of cancer.
HPV and infections
You can’t catch cancer, but some infections such as HPV can increase your risk.
Air pollution and radon
Air pollution and radon gas increase the risk of lung cancer, but in the UK the risk is relatively small.
Inherited cancer genes
Some inherited faulty genes can increase your risk of cancer.
Age and cancer
Cancer is more common as we age.