Quarter of Britons think cancer is matter of fate

LONDON, Jan 4 (Reuters) A quarter of the public think getting cancer is a matter of chance, with 50 per cent of smokers taking that view, a cancer charity said.

Cancer Research asked 4,000 people across Britain whether they thought they could do anything to reduce their risk of cancer or whether getting the disease was just bad luck.

It found that overall 27 per cent put catching cancer down to fate, a proportion that rose to 43 per cent among respondents from the most deprived areas.

Among those from the most privileged areas only 14 per cent thought cancer risk was a matter of chance.

Lesley Walker, the charity's director of cancer information, yesterday said the findings were a cause for concern.

''It is alarming that such a large percentage of the British population do not realise that half of all cases of cancer can be prevented by lifestyle changes,'' she said.

''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 enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn also helped to reduce cancer risk.

REUTERS PDM RK0845