Study: Alcohol, Tobacco, Diet Leading Cancer Causes

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A University of Oxford, England, study finds that tobacco, alcohol, and diet are the three leading causes of cancer in developed countries, Reuters reported May 18.

Although scientists are still learning about how certain foods contribute to cancer, what is known, according to Dr. Tim Key of the University of Oxford, is that diet, alcohol, and obesity play a major role in cancer development.

About 30 percent of cancers are linked to tobacco, while alcohol is responsible for 6 percent of cancer cases and diet is involved in 25 percent of cases. Alcohol can cause cancers of the mouth, throat, and liver.

"We know that obesity and alcohol are important," said Key. Researchers are currently examining the diets of 500,000 people in 10 countries and their risk of cancer to learn more.