An Australian study has found that majority of the cancer patients develop cancer because of their poor lifestyle. The researchers are of the view that smoking alone can trigger cancer in a patient. In past, it was believed that psychological stress may lead to cancer. However, the recent study has found that the chances of one getting cancer from stress are not as high as from smoking.

For the study, the Cancer Council NSW surveyed 3,000 cancer patients who were diagnosed with cancer 18 months back. The study leader, Freddy Sitas, said that majority of the cancer patients believe that cancer is caused because of stress, which is, however, not true. He said, “Everyone has stress in their life. It's what happens after stress that's the important thing. If you get divorced, you might not eat as well afterwards, start having a bit more to drink”.

The researchers have said that in 33% of cancer cases lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking contribute for development of cancer in patients. On a broader view about 6% cancer patients succumb to cancer because of smoking while in 5% of cancer patients, lack of exercise is the main reason. However, smoking contributes to 70% lung cancer cases alone.