Can individuals avoid cancer through their behaviour?

In 2007 our then Director, Professor David Hill, recorded this message as part of a series of videos. Professor Hill has since retired after 44 years of service to Cancer Council Victoria.

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Transcript:

Professor David Hill, Cancer Council Victoria:

Individuals can certainly play a big role in preventing cancer. In fact, we've calculated that about 40% of all cancers are related to behaviours that people have control over.

I think the most important change people can make is don't smoke. The second is probably the energy balance lifestyle - by that I mean the kind of lifestyle that keeps your weight within a reasonable range.

That's achieved by healthy eating - fruit and vegetables rather than fatty foods, and a phyiscal activity program that keeps your weight within the proper boundaries.

As well, we recommend SunSmart behaviour, which is of course minimising excessive intentional exposure to the sun in the hot summer months.

Alcohol is also related to some cancers when drunk in excess.

But probably the most important thing other than tobacco, is overweight obesity. And of course we can control that by what we eat and how much we exercise.

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