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Almost half of Britons don't know that eating a healthy diet can reduce their risk of cancer, according to a new survey by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). The YouGov poll to mark World Cancer Day (4 February) also found that 62 per cent of people were unaware of the links between cancer and processed meat, while 66 per cent did not know that being physically inactive could increase their risk of cancer.

By contrast, over a third incorrectly believed that the chances of getting cancer were mainly down to family history of the disease when, in fact, only five to 10 per cent of cancers have a genetic basis and one in three are preventable through lifestyle choices.

Amanda McLean, WCRF general manager, said: €These results show that many people still seem to mistakenly accept their chances of getting cancer as a throw of the dice, but by making lifestyle changes today, we can prevent cancer tomorrow.€

During World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization predicted that the number of cancer cases worldwide would rise from 14 to 24 million by 2035.