The number of global cancer deaths is projected to rise by 45 percent from 2007 to 2030, but according to a brand new study, 40% of the 12 million who will contract the disease could avert it by simple immunizations and lifestyle changes. The Geneva-based International Union Against Cancer (UICC) highlighted nine infections that can lead to cancer-human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, to name two-urging health officials around the world of the importance of vaccines. They also sited lifestyle changes like decreasing alcohol intake, quitting smoking and adhering to a healthy diet(lots of fruits and veggies) as widely effective preventative measures.

“Policymakers around the world have the opportunity and obligation to use these vaccines to save people’s lives and educate their communities toward lifestyle choices and control measures that reduce their risk of cancer,” Cary Adams, UICC’s chief executive, said in a commentary on the report. This is simply a new way of looking at cancer that the world simply may not be used to…but is surely needed.

As UICC president David Hill said: “…the fact is that we have, now, the knowledge to prevent 40 percent of cancers. The tragedy is, we’re not using it.” And true, while not every cancer is preventable the above study, plus ever-increasing knowledge in the field, leans towards a less fatalistic view of this insidious killer.