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Cancers Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors: A Road Map for Prevention
Giulia Collatuzzo1, Paolo Boffetta1,2
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy;
Annual Review of Public Health
|December 14, 2022
Summary
Preventing cancer relies on identifying risk factors, but controlling them is often challenging. Current knowledge of avoidable cancer causes remains incomplete, limiting prevention effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cancer prevention strategies depend on epidemiological evidence identifying risk factors and their prevalence.
- Population attributable fraction quantifies preventable cancer burden by controlling risk factors.
- Effective prevention is hindered when modifiable risk factors are difficult to control or control is suboptimal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review associations between modifiable risk factors and cancer.
- To illustrate successes and failures in cancer control related to modifiable risk factors.
- To highlight gaps in understanding avoidable causes of cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of selected modifiable risk factors and cancer associations.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on risk factor prevalence and cancer burden.
- Case examples of successful and unsuccessful cancer control interventions.
Main Results:
- Identified key modifiable risk factors: tobacco smoking, occupational exposures, infections, air pollution, alcohol, diet, and obesity.
- Demonstrated variability in the feasibility and success of controlling these factors.
- Highlighted that current understanding of avoidable cancer causes is incomplete.
Conclusions:
- Despite evidence, controlling modifiable cancer risk factors is not always feasible or optimal.
- Further research is needed to improve our understanding of avoidable cancer causes.
- Enhanced strategies are required to translate epidemiological findings into effective cancer prevention.
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