How 2.8 million worldwide cancers deaths can be prevented

Around 2.8 million cases of cancer worldwide are preventable, and are largely linked to diet, physical activity, and weight, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). "The policy of simply relying on identifying and treating these cases when they occur is simply not a sustainable solution" in any country, said Martin Wiseman, FRCP, FRCPath, project director at WCRF International. "We need to focus on preventing disease in the first place, so that we have the resources to detect and treat the cases that do occur." "That's how high the stakes are," he explained. "If we continue down the same path and do nothing more — with people being less and less physically active and relying more and more on highly processed and energy-dense foods, the problem is only going to get worse."

Coming up with new solutions is not the main problem, Dr. Wiseman emphasized. "The problem is having the world implement what we already know."

On September 19 and 20, the United Nations (UN) will hold the historic Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which aims to raise the profile of NCDs and mobilize the international community to take action to reduce the global burden of NCDs. The summit will focus on the 4 most prominent NCDs: cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. "Globally, 2 of every 4 deaths are caused by NCDs," said Kate Allen, PhD, director of science and communications at WCRF International, during the press conference. "NCDs are a serious problem in all regions of the world, and affect high-, middle-, and low-income countries." "Taken together," she continued, "these 4 diseases exact an enormous global health toll and have a similarly massive death toll. They are one of the biggest health challenges that the world faces today." Unless something changes, Dr. Allen added, "the direction that all of these diseases is taking is up."