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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
Smoking

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
Weight and obesity

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
Sun

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
Alcohol

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
Meat

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
Physical activity

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
Sugar

Sugar

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

Sweet enough already?
Fibre and wholegrains
Fibre

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
Fruit and veg

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
Pulses

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
Vegan vegetarian

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
Dairy

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
Fish

Fish

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

Find the facts
Supplements
Supplements

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
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
Tea

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
HRT, the Pill

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
Infections

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
Genetics

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
Pollution

Radiation and pollution

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

Measure the risk
Aspartame
Aspartame

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)

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
UPFs and cancer
UPFs

UPFs and cancer

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

What are the facts?
Myths and controversies
Cancer Myths

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
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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.