According to Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the answer is yes. The institution stated that “bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver cancers are more likely to have been caused by being overweight than by smoking tobacco.” (The statement only applies true for these four types of cancer). It was also stated that there are millions at risk of cancer due to them being overweight. Obese people also outnumber smokers two to one.
Smoking remains the UK's leading preventable cause of cancer overall. Obesity ranks second, says CRUK.
But while smoking rates are decreasing, obesity is increasing, which health experts agree is concerning.
More details of the study on BBC.
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