A quarter of adults think fate determines cancer

MORE than a quarter of adults in the UK think fate will determine whether they get cancer, a poll has revealed.

Of 4,000 people surveyed by Cancer Research UK, 27 per cent did not realise that half of all cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes. Instead, they put the disease down to destiny.

Among those from the most deprived areas, the figure rose to 43 per cent and among those from the most privileged areas it fell to 14 per cent.

The survey also found that smokers were 50 per cent more likely than non-smokers to believe that getting cancer was fate.

Dr Lesley walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK described the findings as 'alarming'.

'We can all reduce our risk of cancer by stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and taking plenty of exercise,' she said.

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