The story in detail
Lifestyle may not relate equally to every cancer. Researchers followed 287,745 UK Biobank participants for a median 11.5 years, assessing a score combining smoking, alcohol, diet, activity and body weight. Almost 13,000 developed cancer. Higher scores were associated with lower risk for 13 of 27 cancer types, with smoking and excess weight linked to the broadest range.
This does not mean every cancer is preventable through behaviour or that people who develop cancer are responsible. Genetics, environmental exposures and unmeasured factors also matter. Participants were not randomly assigned lifestyles, so the analysis does not directly measure a causal effect of the score. It informs population prevention priorities rather than offering an individual prediction formula or protection guarantee.
Study date: 2026-09-15 · Story: 20 October 2026
What was found?
Researchers analysed smoking, alcohol, diet, activity and body mass index in 287,745 UK Biobank participants. Higher healthy-lifestyle scores were associated with lower risks of 13 of 27 cancer types during a median 11.5-year follow-up.
What does it mean?
The findings extend lifestyle–cancer associations to some less-common cancers. The pattern was not uniform across all cancer types.
Limitations
This observational study does not prove causation or guarantee prevention. Self-reported behaviours, unmeasured influences and a predominantly White volunteer sample limit interpretation and generalizability.
Sources and review scope
Original article (DOI) · Reviewed source 1
The original full-text article was reviewed.
Sources last checked: 20 October 2026.
Editorial expansion: 21.10.2026
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