New data shows that 40 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in the UK could have been prevented, according to new information from Cancer Research UK.

We all want to ensure that we are the healthiest we can be and we want the same for our families, but new research shows that some devastating diseases can be avoided.

Nearly 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the UK could be avoided through lifestyle changes, according to new research.

Smoking is the biggest avoidable cause of cancer followed closely by excess weight, drinking alcohol and overexposure to UV radiation.

Cancer Research UK has warned that with smoking rates continuing to go down, now the problem is that obesity could overtake smoking as the biggest killer.

Sir Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK chief executive said that this landmark study proves that prevention is the best way of beating the killer disease.

The latest figures show that more than 135,500 cases of cancer a year could be prevented.

The research published in the British Journal of Cancer shows that obesity causes 13 different types of cancer, including bowel, breast, womb and kidney, and more than one in 20 cases could be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight.

Sir Harpal said that as it takes 10 to 20 years for cancers relating to such risk factors to occur, any improvements will take a similar time to become apparent.

He went on to say that leading a healthy life does not guarantee that a person won’t get cancer, but the figures show how easy it is to help reduce the risk of the disease.

The Government is constantly coming up with new ideas to inspire people to look after themselves, but it starts with you.