Going by the statistics forwarded by a new research from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), the adoption of a healthier lifestyle can prevent nearly 80,000 cases, or 39 percent, of the
207,000 cases of 12 leading cancers, including breast cancer and bowel cancer, every year.

Highlighting the importance of better diet, drinking and exercise habits, the research underscored the fact that while almost 60 percent of people in the UK are aware of the diet-and-cancer association; only 59 percent know about cancer's link with excess body fat, and 45 percent know about the advantages of exercise.

Though the research did not take into account the tobacco-and-cancer relationship, the researchers did make a mention of the fact that 'not smoking' is the single most significant factor that can help prevent cancer, more so as it is the leading cause behind as many as one-third of all cancer cases.

The 23 scientists who contributed to the report by the WCRF also put forth certain recommendations to help people reduce the risk of cancer.

They noted that while the cancers of the stomach and pancreas can be prevented by consuming more fresh fruit and vegetables and keeping a healthy weight; chances of bowel cancer can be reduced by cutting down the intake of red and processed meat; and breast cancer risk can be reduced by drinking less alcohol.