More than a third of the new cancer cases registered in 2022 worldwide could have been avoided, according to an analysis presented by the National Institute of Public Health. In this context, the fifth edition of the European Code against Cancer proposes 14 recommendations based on recent scientific evidence, aimed at reducing the risk of the disease.
The National Institute of Public Health reported on Monday that the analysis of cancer cases in 2022 indicates that 37% of new cases, or about 7.1 million globally, were associated with preventable factors. The assessment took into account 30 causes, including tobacco and alcohol consumption, increased body mass index, lack of physical activity, air pollution, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and, for the first time, nine infections with carcinogenic potential.
The European Code against Cancer – recommendations for the general population
According to INSP, the fifth edition of the European Code against Cancer was launched on February 4 and brings together 14 recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence.
“The European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5), launched on 4 February, contains 14 recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence that provide clear and actionable steps by which citizens can help prevent cancer. Designed for the general population, the recommendations are accessible, feasible and easy to understand”sent the National Institute of Public Health, which also published the full list of these recommendations.
The role of public policies in prevention
Specialists emphasize that ECAC5 is not only addressed to individuals, but also includes a set of 14 complementary policy recommendations, oriented towards measures applicable at the population level, aimed at supporting healthy behavior changes.
“These recommendations call on health system decision-makers to implement policies that address social, environmental, economic and structural barriers to the adoption of healthy behaviors and the use of preventive interventions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimate that up to four out of ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented“, the INSP also sent.
Prevention, a major potential in reducing cancer
The representatives of the institute reiterate the conclusions of the recently published study, which highlights the major impact of prevention on the global burden of cancer.
“The analysis estimates that globally 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022, approximately 7.1 million cases, were associated with preventable causes. The conclusions highlight the enormous potential of prevention to reduce the global burden of cancer”stated INSP.
The European Code against Cancer is an initiative of the European Commission, launched in 1987, which aims to provide the population with clear and scientifically based information to reduce the risk of cancer.
