Large proportion of global cancer deaths attributable to smoking, alcohol

(Shreeya Nanda/ Oncology Medicine Matters) –– Modifiable risk factors accounted for almost half of the global cancer mortality and disability-adjusted life–years (DALYs) in 2019, shows an analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD).

“Given the increasing burden of cancer worldwide, this study can help policy makers and researchers identify important modifiable risk factors that could be targeted in efforts to reduce cancer burden globally, regionally, and nationally,” say the investigators in The Lancet.

They used the most recent iteration of the study – GBD 2019 – to estimate the contribution of 34 behavioral, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors to mortality and ill health due to 23 different tumor types. (…)