A recent report from Cancer Research UK suggests that over 40% of all cancers diagnosed every year in the UK are caused by avoidable lifestyle choices.

Smoking, drinking alcohol, weight and poor diet are all big contributors to cancer rates. Tobacco is the biggest contributor to cancer rates and causes approximately 23% of all cancers in men and 15.6% in women.

For men, a lack of fruit and vegetables in their diet is the second biggest cause of cancer, followed by occupational hazards, alcohol and weight. However, for women, the second biggest cause of cancer is being overweight, followed by infections, exposure to sun and sun beds and a lack of fruit and veg.

Different risk factors are linked to different cancers, such as smoking and lung cancer, obesity and breast cancer, stomach cancer and salt consumption.

However, whilst some cancers such as mouth and throat cancer are caused almost exclusively by lifestyle choices, others such as gall bladder cancer are not related.

Experts are advising men to stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption, whilst eating more fruit and veg. For women they are also advising quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.

Dr Harpal Kumar from Cancer Research UK suggested that whilst leading a healthy lifestyle does not guarantee complete protection from cancer, it does help to reduce the risks.