WANA (Feb 04) – Lifestyle factors and demographic changes are contributing to a rise in cancer cases across Iran, according to the head of the Cancer Department at Iran’s Ministry of Health.

 

Dr. Maryam Beheshtian said that Iran, similar to many other countries, is witnessing an increase in newly diagnosed cancer cases.

 

She explained that part of this rise is linked to longer life expectancy, population aging, and improvements in cancer registration systems and early diagnosis.

 

At the same time, she emphasized that changes in lifestyle play a major role. Factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy diets, increased consumption of fast food and sugary beverages, chronic stress, and air pollution have all contributed to higher cancer risks.

 

Based on national cancer registry data from the past five to six years, Dr. Beheshtian identified the most common cancers in Iran as breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, non-melanoma skin cancers, and stomach cancer.

 

She noted that colorectal cancer, which has shown a rising trend among both men and women, is strongly associated with lifestyle changes, including lack of physical activity and unhealthy dietary patterns.

 

According to the Health Ministry, as lifestyles become increasingly modernized, Iran’s cancer profile is gradually shifting toward cancers more closely linked to obesity, smoking, sedentary behavior, and poor nutrition.