Cancer Burden Attributable to Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors in Australia

Understanding the relative contribution of modifiable risk factors to cancer morbidity and mortality is crucial for designing effective cancer prevention and control strategies. Our study estimated cancer-related deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in Australia using data from the Global Burden of Diseases 2021 study. In 2021, an estimated 20,409 cancer deaths (37.5%) and 431,575 cancer DALYs lost (37.9%) in Australia were attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors. Males had higher modifiable risk attributed to cancer death and DALY rates than females. Behavioral risks accounted for 25.0% of cancer deaths and 26.5% of DALYs. Metabolic risks and environmental/occupational risks accounted for 9.4% and 9.3% of deaths, respectively. Smoking remained the leading attributable risk factor, accounting for 12.2% cancer deaths and 13.1% DALYs lost. Dietary risks accounted for 40.0% of colorectal cancer deaths and DALYs lost. Cervical, larynx, liver, lung, and colorectal cancers had a high proportion of deaths and DALYs lost attributed to modifiable risks. Liver and nasopharyngeal cancers had the highest burden attributed to alcohol use (39.1% and 39.0%, respectively), while 21.3% liver cancer deaths were attributed to drug use. Strengthening public health interventions, such as multi-disciplinary approaches to promote a healthy lifestyle, is required.