Study reveals nearly 40% of cancers may be preventable; doctor explains how everyday habits are raising the risk

Cancer is often spoken about in whispers. For years, many people believed it was mostly a matter of bad luck, genetics, or ageing. But growing scientific evidence is changing that belief. A study published in Nature Medicine found that nearly 40% of cancer cases and about half of cancer-related deaths in adults may be linked to preventable risk factors. Smoking remains the leading cause, but daily lifestyle habits are now quietly becoming an equally dangerous force.What makes this reality more unsettling is how ordinary these habits look. Skipping sleep to finish work. Sitting for long hours. Ordering processed food because there is no time to cook. Ignoring stress because it feels “normal.” These routines rarely seem harmful at the moment, but over years, they slowly alter the body in ways that can increase cancer risk.According to the World Health Organization’s cancer prevention findings, tobacco use, obesity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and air pollution are among the biggest preventable contributors to cancer worldwide. India, too, is witnessing a steady rise in lifestyle-related cancers.