While more than 40% of people are leading a healthy lifestyle, the majority live life how they want and hope that cancer will not happen to them, according to research from Aviva.
Launched in advance of World Cancer Day on 4 February, the research shows that there is still work to be done when it comes to raising awareness of the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.
More than half (59%) of those surveyed said they live life how they want and hope cancer will not happen to them.
And one in five (20%) people were potentially putting their health at risk, admitting that they were not doing anything to help reduce their risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses.
Around four in 10 (42%) people said that they lead a really healthy lifestyle and many said that they were adopting at least one healthy behaviour to help control the risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses.
These included eating a balanced diet (29%), exercising regularly (27%), watching their weight (27%), wearing sun protection (30%) and reducing their sugar intake (22%).
Around one in five (22%) said that they are taking steps to look after their mental wellbeing and one in 10 said they had given up alcohol.
While these findings are more positive, almost seven in 10 people (67%) admitted that despite their best efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle, there was more that they could do.
The research also showed that just under a third (32%) of people have consulted a GP with symptoms that they were concerned could be related to cancer.
Nearly two in five (39%) of these GP visits took place in the past year.
Concerns about breast cancer topped the list for GP visits for females (44%), followed by skin (21%) and cervical cancer (10%). For men, concerns about testicular cancer topped the list (22%), followed by skin cancer (21%) and prostate (16%).
Dr Suba M, medical director at Aviva UK Health, said: “It’s estimated that around four in 10 cases of cancer in the UK every year could be prevented so it’s important that people are aware of their own risk factors, such as smoking, diet, obesity, drinking alcohol, physical activity and age and are empowered with the information, environment and support to help them control these risks.
“It’s good to see that people are already adopting healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, exercising, watching their weight and protecting themselves from the sun.
“This is also a trend we’re seeing through increased use of the wellbeing benefits Aviva offers through its health and protection products.
“Despite these positives, our research highlights that many people still feel that they could do more when it comes to their health.
“As an industry we have a role to play in enabling this.
“Whether it’s aiding early intervention through access to primary care such as private digital GP services or through the promotion of wellbeing benefits to consumers or workplace wellbeing initiatives, offering environments that support and actively encourage employee health and wellbeing.”
