Reply to post: Some stats (mostly from Cancer Reaearch UK)

Some stats (mostly from Cancer Reaearch UK)

The overall lifetime risk of getting cancer is currently about 40%

Tobacco smoke contains powerful carcinogens, and causes 27% of all cancer deaths. Tobacco causes virtually all lung cancers, and many larynx, oesophagus, mouth, throat, bladder, pancreas, kidney, liver, stomach, bowel, cervix, leukaemia, and ovarian cancers.

Cancer is largely a disease of old age. We live in a carcinogenic world (there are over 200 identified carcinogens in a cup of coffee - all low risk!), but our bodies have effective defences against us developing cancer. These defences become less effective as we get older causing an increased risk of something sneaking in under the radar, or are overwhelmed by a carcinogenic assault like tobacco or HPV.

Over 30% of all oral, oesophageal, stomach and bowel cancers are attributed to dietary factors.

Red and processed meat (including bacon) causes 3% of cancers in the UK.

Alcohol causes 4% of cancers in the UK - with the risk proportional to how much you consume. The type of drink it is in is irrelevant.

White meat like chicken, stress, mobile phones and masts, and plastic bottles do not cause cancer.

So, you can't escape the risk, but it would seem sensible to be informed and avoid or reduce the biggies. As a doctor I intend to have a bacon sandwich for lunch today.