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Healthy eating, physical activity and cancer prevention
Healthy eating and physical activity are important for healthy living and to reduce your risk of cancer.
Healthy eating and cancer prevention
Diet is thought to explain some of the variation in incidence of some cancers, around the world and over time. This is a complex area of research because cancer takes so long to develop - long after exposure to dietary causes. Researchers try to estimate accurately what individuals ate many years ago - but it's very difficult. Even so, this research is making progress. It is now estimated that about 35% of deaths from cancer in economically developed countries may be prevented if everyone had a healthy diet. In South Australia, this would be a diet with more vegetables, fruit, breads and cereals, but lower in saturated fats.
Physical activity and cancer prevention
Physical activity can play a role in the prevention of many cancers. Research has highlighted a link between physical activity and reducing the risk of both colon (bowel) and breast cancers, which are amongst the most commonly diagnosed cancers in South Australians. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing colon cancer by 40% and breast cancer by 20-40% in women.
Physical activity directly  produces less of the substances which may speed up tumour growth (such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor, and oestrogen) affects the speed at which food passes through the bowel, reducing contact with potential carcinogens.
Indirect effects include
strengthening the immune system assisting the maintenance of a healthy weight.By being physically active, you are also reducing your risk of becoming overweight and obese, both risk factors in the development of cancer.
Overweight and obesity has been shown to increase the risk of bowel cancer breast cancer in postmenopausal women endometrial cancer kidney cancer
oesophageal cancer. Healthy weight range (for men and women 18 years and onwards)
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Prevention & early detection 
