261. Nearly half of cancer deaths are caused by preventable risk factors
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. A new study shows that almost half of the deaths caused by cancer can be linked to preventable risk factors. In the study, published in the journal The Lancet, researchers analyzed data on cancer deaths from 2010 to 2019 across over 200 countries. They looked at 23 types of cancer and 34 cancer risk factors. They found that over 44 percent of all cancer deaths and 42 percent of healthy years lost from cancer could be attributed to preventable risk factors. The three leading risk factors were smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and having a high body mass index, or obesity. These risk factors are all preventable.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
