A new survey has revealed that many British people are unaware of lifestyle factors that could increase their risk of cancer.
Research commissioned by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found that 41 per cent of respondents were unaware of the link between poor diet and cancer, while 44 per cent did not know that being overweight increased their risk.
Yet experts believe that around a quarter of all cancer deaths are caused by unhealthy diets and obesity.
The survey of nearly 2,000 people also revealed that only a third of people knew that eating processed meat increased their risk, while the majority were unaware that exercise reduces a person's chances of developing the disease.
Lisa Cooney, the cancer prevention charity's head of education, noted that there is 'clear' evidence that eating healthily and reducing alcohol and processed meat consumption can lower a person's risk of cancer.
'But these results show that there are still millions of people in Britain who are unaware of how they can take simple steps to reduce their cancer risk,' she revealed.
'This means they are not in a position to make informed lifestyle choices.'