According to a survey conducted by the A.C.Camargo Cancer Center and Nexus Pesquisa e Inteligência de Dados, 60 percent of Brazilians rate their own health as excellent or good, even though 63 percent are overweight and 42 percent do not engage in physical activity - two of the main risk factors for cancer.

The survey, titled The Health of Brazilians, Lifestyle Habits, and the Use of Technology in Medical Diagnostics, also shows that 26 percent of respondents are obese, according to World Health Organization criteria.

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Among those who report engaging in physical activity, the frequency is low, averaging 2.4 days per week. According to Victor Piana, a pathologist and CEO of the A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, regular exercise reduces the risk of cancers such as colorectal and breast cancer, helps with weight management, and improves the body’s response during and after cancer treatment.

“Excess weight is now recognized by science as a risk factor for more than ten types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers. In other words, six out of ten Brazilians unknowingly have one of the main risk factors for the disease,” he explains. “Those who don’t exercise are giving up one of the cheapest and most accessible prevention tools available,” the doctor added.

Diet

Diets rich in vegetables and fiber are associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer, while ultra-processed foods and processed meats are associated with higher risks. The survey shows that 66 percent of respondents consume fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, eggs, and meat, six days or more per week, while sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, sweets, and fried foods are consumed about twice a week.

Among those who are unable to maintain a healthy diet, 29 percent cite the high cost of fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables, while 21 percent identify a lack of time and fatigue from their daily routine. Those earning up to one minimum wage (40%) face even greater difficulty maintaining a healthy diet, while this figure drops to 10 percent among those earning more than five minimum wages, for whom lack of time is the main obstacle (39%).

Alcohol

As for alcohol consumption, 58 percent of Brazilians say they do not drink, while 30 percent consume alcohol one to two days a week, and 5 percent drink five to seven days a week.

Classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a carcinogen, alcohol is associated with the development of tumors in the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, intestines, and breast. When combined with smoking, the risks are even greater.

According to the pathologist, those who consume the most alcohol have the highest proportion of respondents who rate their own health as excellent or good. This perception reaches 64 percent among those who drink five to seven days a week, compared with 58 percent among those who do not drink.

“This paradox illustrates the danger of a false perception of health. The socializing and relaxation associated with frequent alcohol consumption lead people to confuse feeling good with being healthy,” the study states.

According to Piana, the study shows that the greatest risk for Brazilians lies not in how they feel, but in what they fail to notice - such as being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and consuming alcohol - which are risk factors that can quietly become part of daily life.

“The good news is that all of these factors are modifiable. Taking care of your habits today is the most effective way to reduce the chances of a cancer diagnosis tomorrow,” he says.

Researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with 2,015 citizens aged 16 and older across Brazil’s 27 states.