A study coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revealed several barriers preventing effective cancer prevention behaviors in the EU. These include low health literacy, misinformation, costly healthy foods, work-family pressures, social drinking norms, and poor access to healthcare screenings.
Factors supporting prevention include early health education, supportive networks, clear health messaging, smoke-free policies, and accessible services. The study involved over 140 adults across nine EU countries.
Lead researcher Ariadna Feliu emphasized the need for supportive living environments to make healthy choices easier. Less than 25% of participants knew about the European Code Against Cancer, underscoring the need for increased awareness.
