A quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer are attributed to lifestyle factors, according to groundbreaking research. The study, published in the Lancet Oncology, analyzed data from over 200 countries, spanning from 1990 to 2023, to reveal startling insights into breast cancer trends and risk factors. The findings indicate that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, engaging in sufficient physical activity, reducing red meat consumption, and maintaining a healthy BMI, could potentially prevent more than a quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer worldwide. This research builds upon previous studies, such as those by Cancer Research UK, which found that over 40% of cancer cases in the UK are preventable through lifestyle changes. The study's lead author, Kayleigh Bhangdia from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, highlights the global impact of breast cancer, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries where later-stage diagnoses and limited access to quality care pose significant challenges. The analysis reveals that globally, in 2023, three times as many new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in women aged 55 or older compared to those aged 20-54. However, rates of new cases in women aged 20-54 have risen by nearly a third since 1990, while rates in older women have remained relatively stable. The study further identifies six potentially modifiable risk factors linked to 28% of the global breast cancer burden in 2023. High red meat consumption had the most significant impact, contributing to nearly 11% of healthy life lost, followed by tobacco use (8%), high blood sugar (6%), high body mass index (4%), and high alcohol use and low physical activity (both 2%). These findings emphasize the importance of lifestyle modifications in breast cancer prevention and the need for global collaboration to ensure early diagnosis, effective treatment, and support for women worldwide.
