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diagnosed with cancer have much to gain from quitting , which can improve the efficacy of treatment , lead to fewer and less serious side effects of treatment and promote faster recovery , among other benefits .
— Overweight / obesity : The ASCO notes that being overweight or obese also increases a person ’ s risk for cancer . Though the link between body weight and cancer risk is still being studied , researchers have concluded that extra weight increases levels of the hormones insulin and insulin growth factor-1 . Too much of these hormones , the ASCO notes , can help certain cancers develop . In addition , fat tissue produces more estrogen , which can help certain cancers , including breast cancer , develop . The ASCO also reports that chronic , low-level inflammation , which is known to increase cancer risk , is more common among obese individuals .
— Alcohol consumption : The CDC reports that the less alcohol a person drinks , the lower that person ’ s risk for cancer becomes . The CDC also indicates that cancer risk increases regardless of which type of alcohol a person consumes . Researchers believe the link between alcohol and cancer risk involves ethanol , which the ASCO notes is the form of alcohol in beer , wine and spirits . When the body metabolizes ethanol , it forms acetaldehyde , which may be a carcinogen . Alcohol also is an irritant that can damage healthy cells in the mouth and throat , thus increasing a person ’ s risk for head and neck cancers and esophageal cancer .
Cancer claims the lives of millions of people across the globe . While it may not be possible to identify with certainty what ’ s behind each cancer diagnosis , certain behaviors have been linked to a higher risk for the disease . Avoiding such behaviors and taking steps to be as healthy as possible can help individuals reduce their risk for cancer .
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