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What affects your risk of getting cancer?

Do you know which factors make a difference to your risk of cancer? With conflicting stories in the news, it can be difficult to get the real truth.

Smoking
Illustration of purple lips holding several burning cigarettes and pencils, with smoke rising from the cigarettes, all set against a dark purple background.

Smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of cancer worldwide, and tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year

Which cancers are linked?
Weight and obesity
A digital illustration of a bathroom scale with a green measuring tape coiled on top, symbolising weight measurement, fitness, and cancer prevention topics. The purple scale features a white dial in the centre.

Weight and obesity

With obesity cases on the rise globally, what’s the evidence about weight, obesity and cancer?

Manage your weight
Sun and UV rays
A large purple beach parasol is open against a bright yellow background, with the sun partially visible in the upper left corner—an eye-catching nod to cancer prevention topics like sun safety.

Sun and UV rays

Too much sun and using sunbeds can both increase your risk of developing skin cancer.  Find out how to stay safe

Staying safe
Alcohol
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Alcohol

Drinking alcohol increases your risk of 7 types of cancer, and our evidence shows that there is no safe level of drinking

Know the facts
Meat
A simple illustration of a raw steak or meat cut, highlighting pink sections separated by lighter lines and a small white bone in the centre, on a purple background—ideal for discussing cancer prevention topics related to red meat consumption.

Meat

Explore our evidence on red meat and processed meat. Plus are there are links between white meat and cancer?

What’s the evidence?
Physical activity
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Physical activity

Anything that gets your body moving, from chores to active travel, lowers your risk of cancer and other diseases

Get all the info
Sugar
A grey spoon holding a mound of white powder is shown against a solid dark blue background, highlighting ingredients often discussed in cancer prevention topics.

Sugar

Does sugar cause cancer? Our experts explain the latest evidence, plus our Recommendation on sugary drinks

Sweet enough already?
Fibre and wholegrains
Illustration of a mound of white powder behind clusters of purple grapes, blackberries, and two green apples, all set against a light purple background—perfect for visualising cancer prevention topics.

Fibre and wholegrains

Fibre can help protect against cancer but many of us don’t eat enough. Find out how to include more fibre in your diet

How to eat more
Fruit and vegetables
Illustration of two strawberries, a head of broccoli, and a tin with tomatoes—each symbolising nutritious foods often highlighted in cancer prevention topics. The pastel green, pink, and yellow tones rest softly on a beige background.

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are an essential part of our daily diet, but what’s the evidence behind their impact on cancer?

Get your 5 A DAY
Pulses
Yellow abstract shapes with simple black curved lines are scattered across a pink background, resembling stylised drops or petals. The playful, modern pattern subtly evokes energy often seen in visuals for cancer prevention topics.

Pulses

Find out about pulses, beans, lentils and other legumes, and explore the evidence about pulses and cancer

Know your legumes
Vegetarian and vegan diets
A large rectangular block and two smaller cubes representing tofu, all in a light cream colour, are set against a solid dark blue background, subtly evoking themes related to cancer prevention topics through their clean, thoughtful arrangement.

Vegetarian and vegan diets

Is there any truth in the claims that eating only or mainly plant foods can lower our risk of developing cancer?

Find out
Dairy
Illustration of a wedge of Swiss cheese with holes next to a tub of soured cream on a light purple background, perfect for discussing cancer prevention topics related to diet.

Dairy

Find out how dairy products are linked with bowel and prostate cancers, plus how much you should eat

What about butter and yoghurt?
Fish
A stylised illustration of a blue fish on a white plate, garnished with lemon slices—a fresh visual often seen in discussions about healthy eating and cancer prevention topics.

Fish

Find out about white, oily and shellfish plus explore the evidence on fish and cancer, and browse pescetarian recipes

Find the facts
Supplements
A graphic of a glass of water with bubbles sits beside a transparent bottle filled with green capsules, set on a green background—an inviting visual for cancer prevention topics.

Supplements

If you take supplements, such as a daily vitamin pill or dietary aids that claim to boost your immunity, read on

What’s the link to cancer?
Breastfeeding
Illustration of baby breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

We have strong evidence that breastfeeding decreases a mother’s risk of breast cancer. Find out about the benefits for mother and baby

Explore the science
Coffee, tea and maté
A light blue teacup with a tea bag label hanging over the side, sitting on a saucer with steam rising—an inviting image for discussing cancer prevention topics, set against a vibrant purple background.

Coffee, tea and maté

Coffee and tea are among the most popular drinks in the world. Find out how they can affect your risk of cancer, plus evidence on drinking maté

Should you drink up?
HRT, the Pill and contraception
Illustration of a green blister pack with round white tablets next to a filled syringe with a needle, set against a light green background.

HRT, the Pill and contraception

Find out how hormone replacement therapy and hormonal contraceptives such as the Pill affect a woman’s risk of cancer

Weigh up the risks
HPV and infections
Abstract illustration of three purple, spiky, circular shapes resembling germs or bacteria, with white dots inside, set against a pale yellow background with curved lines—ideal for visualising cancer prevention topics.

HPV and infections

Viral, bacterial or parasitic infections can cause cancer – such as HPV, hepatitis and H pylori

Am I at risk?
Family history and genes
A magnifying glass is positioned over a DNA double helix, zooming in on a section of the strands, symbolising genetic research or cancer prevention topics through DNA analysis.

Family history and genes

Only 5–10% of cancer cases result from specific inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome

More on inherited risk
Radiation and pollution
Illustration of two purple nuclear power station cooling towers with yellow and black radiation symbols, emitting white steam against a light purple background. Suitable for visuals on cancer prevention topics.

Radiation and pollution

Examine the risk of outdoor and indoor exposures, including microwaves, airport scanners, mobile phones and power lines

Measure the risk
Aspartame
A yellow cylindrical roll with a pink stripe, next to a yellow rectangular sheet and a piece of white paper with zigzag edges, all on a pink background—evoking materials often used in creative cancer prevention topics.

Aspartame

Artificial sweetener aspartame has been classified as a substance that may cause cancer. What does this mean for you?

All about sweeteners
Burnt food (acrylamide)
Illustration of a slice of burnt toast with smoke rising from it, popping out of a blue toaster against a light blue background—a subtle nod to cancer prevention topics.

Burnt food (acrylamide)

Overcooking starchy food, such as toast or potatoes, can increase our risk of cancer but how strong is the evidence?

Find out
Ultra-processed food
Illustration of three snack bags, two purple and one light blue, against a green background. One purple bag is open with crisps spilling out, while another highlights cheese puffs—suitable for discussing cancer prevention topics.

Ultra-processed food

There’s increasing concern about the amount of ultra-processed food we’re eating and its effect on our bodies

What are the facts?
Stress
Illustration of a brain

Stress

Explore the evidence on how stress is linked to your risk of cancer, and find out about the research we’re doing in this area

Ways to stay calm
Myths and controversies
Illustration of a magnifying glass, two cardboard boxes, and a purple face mask on a dark purple background, symbolising the search for knowledge and resources on cancer prevention topics.

Myths and controversies

How strong is the evidence that everyday items like cling film, pesticides and cosmetics affect our risk of cancer?

We judge the evidence
Illustration of two older adults walking happily outdoors with a small yellow dog on a lead. They are smiling, holding hands, and the background features trees and clouds against a blue sky.

Preventing cancer. Saving lives

While society continues to search for a cure, our prevention and survival work helps people to live longer, healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer.