AS IF we need reminding. Booze, cigarettes, sunbeds, obesity and lack of exercise all increase the risk of cancer. But if you follow a from the world鈥檚 foremost cancer body, you could halve your risk of getting it.
鈥淚t includes more than 10 years鈥� worth of scientific evidence,鈥� says Joachim Sch眉z, who helped put together the code for the in Lyon, France. 鈥淪moking remains the major cause, but we鈥檝e added risks not apparent last time the code was updated in 2003,鈥� he says.
The updated guidelines include recommendations for girls to get the vaccine for human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. A vaccine against hepatitis B is recommended for newborns to protect against liver cancer. Another addition is advice for mothers to breastfeed, because this reduces their risk of developing breast cancer.
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Aimed mainly at Europeans, the code has been carefully worded to be a reminder to avoid unnecessary risks, rather than a hectoring, 鈥渘anny state鈥� style decree. 鈥淚t鈥檚 meant to be an authoritative reference people can consult, and something they can rely on,鈥� says Sch眉z.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淐ancer nudge鈥�
