Belgians underestimate true risks of cancer

The average Belgian underestimates the risks of some basic causes of cancer and overestimates others, according to the Foundation against Cancer’s latest Cancer Barometer. The foundation questioned 1,000 people between 16 and 70 years old.

When asked to rank the causes of cancer in order from the most to least serious, the average listed in order: smoking, sun and sunbeds, air pollution, obesity and food additives. In fact, while smoking does indeed come first, the order then should go: obesity and physical inactivity, carcinogenic viruses such as human papilloma, genetic factors and type of work.

The survey points out the persistence of some myths about cancer – not only the non-existent danger of food additives and the much overestimated danger of air pollution, but also the role of stress. Identified as a leading cause of cancer by 60% of survey respondent, stress does not figure on the real list of causes at all, according to the foundation.

On the other hand, the survey shows a number of risk factors, such as the dangers of alcohol, are becoming better known, with 5% more people now aware of the link between alcohol and cancer than was evident from the last survey, carried out two years ago. Since then, 6% more people are also aware of the danger of eating red meat in relation to colon cancer.

Among smokers, virtually all were aware of the risk of their behaviour, as were about 90% of those who use sunbeds. The risks of alcohol, however, were only recognised by about half of drinkers.

Photo: Get moving: Obesity and physical inactivity are the second-leading causes of cancer

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