TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) – One out of a thousand of Iranians, about 70,000 people, have cancer and improper nutrition is the main factor behind the increase in stomach cancer in Iran, Dr. Fereshteh Asgari of the Oncology Department of the Health Ministry told the Mehr News Agency here on Tuesday.

Asgari added that stomach cancer is the most common cancer in Iran, whereas skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world.

She stated that skin, stomach, breast, esophagus, thyroid, prostate, and lung cancer are the most common types of cancer in Iran. She added that although some types of cancer have genetic causes, lifestyle and the environment are the cause of many other types of cancer.

She went on to say that improving the nutrition and lifestyles of the nation could reduce the incidence of stomach cancer, adding that educating the public is essential.

Unfortunately, cancer is often diagnosed too late, although it can be prevented or even cured when diagnosed in the early stages, Asgari said in conclusion.