Five things to do in your 20s and 30s to reduce your risk of preventable cancer

Recent research has suggested that cancer in the under 50s is rising globally. The Conversation suggests five ways that people in their 20s and 30s can reduce their cancer risk.

This article - Cancer in the under 50s is rising, globally – why? - explains that people born after 1990 are more likely to develop cancer before the age of 50 than any other generation before. Part of the story here, can be explained by better screening for and detection of cancers. However, the evidence clearly points to lifestyle habits (often cemented in childhood) having a significant impact.

So here are the five recommendations, as made by Sarah Allinson, Senior Lecturer in Biomedicine, Lancaster University in the article Five things to do in your 20s and 30s to reduce your risk of preventable cancer

1. Don't smoke
   Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and is also a contributing factor in mouth, throat and 12 other cancers.
   
2. Practice safe sex
   Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the virus that causes genital warts and it is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. It can cause a range of cancers including cancer of the cervix, penis, mouth and throat.
   
3. Maintain a healthy weight
   Being overweight or obese has been linked to an increased risk of 13 different cancers, including bowel, breast, uterus and pancreas.
   
4. Drink less alcohol
   Moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver breast and oesophageal cancer. Drinking alcohol whilst smoking, is known to increase the cancer causing effect of smoking.
   
5. Wear sunscreen
   Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the under 40s. The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds - wearing sunscreen has a protective effect.

Here are some 'health hacks' from Cancer Research UK, designed to help you adapt a healthier lifestyle: