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Baby boomers are less knowledgeable than younger adults about the links between poor nutrition or alcohol and an increased risk of cancer, according to a survey.
The survey, commissioned by the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) and conducted by YouGov, asked more than 2,000 British adults if they believed that various habits and activities were linked to an increased risk of cancer.
The results reveal that many adults still do not know how their lifestyle can affect their chances of developing such diseases.
In particular, while 66% of 18-24 year olds rightly thought that poor nutrition increased the risk of cancer, only 58% of baby boomers were of this opinion, but 64% and 59% of alcohol were alcohol.
The opposite trend was observed for processed meat: only 48% of 18-24 year olds agreed that it increases the risk of cancer, compared to 62% of over 55s. The World Health Organization has clbadified meats such as bacon, ham and sausages in the same category as smoking with respect to the level of evidence of a link to cancer.
19% of 18-24 year olds think that coffee increases the risk of cancer, compared to only 8% of baby boomers – studies suggest that this drink may actually protect against certain cancers.
And while 80% of baby boomers said there was a link between genetics and cancer and 91%, that smoking was a risk factor, only 74% and 82% of 25-34 year olds gave same respective answers.
Susannah Brown, Interim Chief of Research at WCRF, said the study revealed some interesting trends. "Different age groups seem to be aware of different risk factors and this could possibly suggest that the sources they use get this type of information might influence them," she said, adding that One possibility would be that young adults more likely to glean health information on social media than traditional media.
Mr. Brown added that the confusion over coffee could, at least in part, result from the information that a California judge ruled that the coffee had to carry a cancer warning because of chemicals produced during the coffee process. roasting, which the experts rejected. "In the end, our evidence shows that coffee does not increase the risk of cancer and that it can potentially decrease it," Brown said.
The new survey also found that perceptions of cancer risk differed across social clbades, with middle-clbad individuals seemingly more aware of the links between cancer and various lifestyle factors: 69% established a link between poor nutrition and cancer, compared to only 52% of the working clbad. people.
"We are aware that socio-economic status affects health outcomes, and this perhaps shows that it is from awareness to the nature of lifestyle habits that could possibly influence that," Brown said.
Brown added that while there is still work to be done to make known that lifestyle factors increase the risk of cancer, the results also contain good news. "We have demonstrated that there is [is] awareness of many cancer risk factors and, more positively, modifiable risk factors. "
Katie Patrick of Cancer Research UK agreed, but said that diets are not the individual choice. "Changing the habits we have had for a long time can be difficult. So while we can adapt ourselves, the government has an important role to play in making healthy choices an easy choice for everyone. "
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