Obesity, alcohol abuse increase risk of cancer

ALCOHOL abuse and obesity were yesterday highlighted by scientists as two key factors which increase the risk of cancer.

The research, unveiled in The Lancet medical journal this week, points towards popular belief that the threat of cancer is more acute among those who suffer from over-eating and an unbalanced diet.

Diet-related factors are thought to be second only to tobacco as the main cause of cancer. These account for about 30% of cancers in developed countries.