Signal Claim that nearly half of cancer cases trace to modifiable factors

Summary

The Wellness for Cancer Initiative states that close to half of all cancer cases are linked to factors that can be modified. It offers this figure as the reason for adding health coaching to genetic risk assessment. Paola Rossi, clinical program director for lifestyle medicine at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, describes the coach's role. The coach meets patients to find weak points in their behaviour which, if addressed, could lower their cancer risk. The Initiative does not give a study, population or year for the claim that nearly half of cases are modifiable. The statement nonetheless anchors its argument that prevention for high-risk people should combine genetic insight with behaviour change.