• Gundula Behrens, Thomas Gredner, Christian Stock, Michael F Leitzmann, Hermann Brenner, and Ute Mons.
• Gundula Behrens and Thomas Gredner contributed equally to this work; Hermann Brenner and Ute Mons contributed equally to this work; Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; Medical Faculty Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg; Division of Preventive Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; Cancer Prevention Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg.
• Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Sep 3; 115 (35-36): 578585578-585.

BackgroundExcess weight, low physical activity, low intakes of dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables, and high meat and salt intake increase cancer risk.MethodsNumbers and proportions (population-attributable fractions, PAF) of incident cancer cases in Germany in 2018 attributable to these factors were estimated by sex and age groups for ages 35 to 84 years using population projections, national cancer incidence and exposure data, and published risk estimates.ResultsEstimated numbers (percentages) of attributable cancers were 30 567 (7%) for excess weight, 27 081 (6%) for low physical activity, 14 474 (3%) for low dietary fiber intake, 9447 (2%) for low fruit and vegetable consumption, 9454 (2%) and 1687 (0.4%) for processed meat and high red meat consumption, respectively, and 1204 (0.3%) for high salt intake. Excess weight substantially contributed to endometrial, renal, and liver cancer (PAF = 24 to 35%). Low physical activity contributed to endometrial, renal, and lung cancer (PAF = 15 to 19%), and dietary factors mainly contributed to colorectal, breast, and lung cancer (PAF = 9 to 16%).ConclusionA considerable proportion of cancer cases are attributable to excess weight, physical inactivity, and unhealthy dietary habits. Major prevention efforts are needed to reduce the cancer incidence attributable to these avoidable factors.

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