A report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks the UK as having the 11th highest rate of breast cancer.  Of the top 50 countries within the poll the UK was 22nd for cancer rates.

Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for the World Cancer Research Fund blames lifestyle for these statistics.  He said “We know that people in high-income countries are more likely to be overweight, to drink a lot of alcohol and to be inactive.”  Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s director of policy agrees and adds “We do know that up to half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle such as giving up smoking, keeping a healthy weight and cutting down on alcohol. People can also reduce their risk by eating a healthy balanced diet that is high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat. All these things, along with taking regular exercise and avoiding sunburn, can reduce the risk of developing cancer.”