Athens - Nearly half of all Greeks believe that there is nothing much people can do to reduce one's chances of contracting cancer, according to a recent study.

The study, carried out by the Athens Medical School and the Centre for Health Service Studies, found that nearly half of the 1,490 respondents interviewed were passive about cancer, saying there is nothing they can do to avert the threat of contracting cancer.

The findings, which were published in the Greek daily Kathimerini newspaper, came as researchers indicated a 25 per cent increase in the diagnosis of cancer over the past 10 years.

When the same respondents were asked to name the three main factors contributing towards cancer, the overwhelming majority or 76 per cent mentioned smoking followed by 45 per cent saying unhealthy diets were a factor and 34 per cent who listed air pollution as a cause.

Of those people questioned, four out of 10 said they were smokers and half admitted that they did not exercise. A significant proportion of male respondents or 62 per cent, and 53 per cent of females, were reported to be overweight.

According to the study, nearly four out of 10 women said they were unaware of the need to undergo a Pap test for cervical cancer every three years. (dpa)