A new report has revealed that overweight and obesity increases the risk of at least 12 types of cancer, many more than findings suggested a decade ago.

According to the report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), a decade ago, excess weight was known to increase the risk of seven cancers - bowel, breast, gallbladder, kidney, oesophagus, pancreas and womb.

However today, that figure has risen to at least 12, with liver, mouth and throat, ovary, prostate and stomach added to the list.

Currently, one in six deaths worldwide is due to cancer. In 2012, 8.2 million people died from the disease. In Europe, there are around 3.7 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths from the disease every year.

The report pointed out that lifestyles that include little or no exercise and lots of fast and processed foods are fuelling overweight and obesity, and this is resulting in ‘dramatic increases in cancer rates worldwide'.

It found that the regular consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks increases the risk of cancer because it causes weight gain, overweight and obesity. However, a healthy diet rich in wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and pulses, and low in red and processed meat, reduces the risk.

The report also found that physical activity can help directly protect against three cancers - bowel, breast and womb. But it also reduces the risk of many other cancers because it helps people to maintain a healthy weight.

Meanwhile, it also found that alcohol is strongly linked to an increased risk of six cancers, one more than a decade ago. It increases the risk of bowel, breast, liver, mouth and throat, oesophagus and stomach cancer. A decade ago, stomach was not on the list.

The report, Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective, is based on an ongoing review of decades of evidence by independent experts worldwide. It includes a ‘blueprint' to help reduce the risk of cancer, which are 10 updated cancer prevention recommendations:

-Maintain a healthy weight
-Be physically active
-Eat a diet rich in wholegrains, vegetables, fruit and beans
-Limit consumption of fast foods and other processed foods high in fat,
starches or sugars
-Limit consumption of red and processed meat
-Limit consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks
-Limit alcohol consumption
-Do not use supplements for cancer prevention
-For mothers, breastfeed your baby if you can
-After a cancer diagnosis, follow your healthcare professional's recommendations.

Aside from these 10 recommendations, the report also reminded people of the importance of not smoking (including passive smoking) and avoiding excess sun exposure.

"Our cancer prevention recommendations work together as a blueprint to beat cancer that people can trust, because they are based on evidence that has now proved consistent for decades," commented Dr Giota Mitrou, the WCRF's director of research funding and external relations.

For more information on these recommendations, click here