Risk factors

Obesity

Overweight and obesity (excess weight) pose a real risk of developing numerous diseases, including cancer. In France, there are approximately 19,000 new cases of obesity each year. One in two French people is affected by overweight or obesity. Various precautions should be taken, such as engaging in regular physical activity or limiting excessive calorie intake.

Everything you need to know about obesity and cancer

Alcohol

Alcohol is the second leading preventable cause of cancer-related death, responsible for 28,000 new cases each year. It has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) since 1988.

Among the causes of death associated with alcohol consumption, cancer ranks first, with 16,000 deaths annually. Cardiovascular diseases come in second, with nearly 10,000 deaths per year.

Everything you need to know about alcohol and cancer

Tobacco

Tobacco is responsible for 75,000 deaths, including 45,000 from cancer, each year in France. It is the most significant preventable risk factor for cancer: it is estimated that without tobacco, nearly one-third of cancer deaths could be avoided.

Tobacco causes 1 in 5 cancers, leading to lung, bladder, colon, liver, pancreatic, cervical, kidney, oral cancers, and more.

Everything you need to know about tobacco and cancer

Sun

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary factor in skin cancers. When UV rays reach the skin, excessive doses damage skin cells and can cause DNA lesions in the exposed cells. More than 80% of skin cancers are linked to excessive sun exposure, mainly due to regular and intense exposures during childhood.

In France, in less than 30 years, the number of melanoma cases has almost increased fivefold. With more than 17,000 new cases of melanoma each year in France, skin cancers are the most common, with 2,000 deaths annually, two-thirds of which are linked to sun exposure.

Everything you need to know about the sun and cancer