As ‘lazy’ Western lifestyles spread, cancer rates will rise

Cancer rates are set to more than double in the next two decades, thanks to the adoption of unhealthy Western lifestyles. According to new predictions, globally increasing levels of human development will see a rise in breast, prostate and bowel cancers.

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Obesity rates, smoking, unhealthy food choices and lack of exercise are key elements of modern Western lifestyles and as more nations join the developed world, populations will be at a higher risk of cancers associated with these.

Worldwide, the number of people diagnosed each year with cancer is around 12.7 million. Experts predict this will rise to 22.2 million by 2030. Though the rate of cancers associated with infections, such as stomach and cervical, are expected to decline, the drop will be lost in the general increase.

“Cancer is already the leading cause of death in many high-income countries and is set to become a major cause of illness and mortality in the next decades in every nation of the world,” explained study leader Dr Freddie Bray, from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which compiled the stats.

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“The study serves as an important reference point in drawing attention to the need for global action to reduce the increasing burden of cancer,” Bray added.

Almost half (40 per cent) of all cancer cases worldwide in 2008 were in highly developed countries, despite only 15 per cent of the global population living there.

Combined with our negative attitudes towards our bodies, it’s not been a great week for the developed world. But calling Westerners lazy won’t help. Modern life all too often gets in the way of health, with many of us too reliant on over-processed fast food we can eat on the go. If you’re struggling, try our ideas for squeezing in your cancer-busting five a day, without even noticing.