Maintaining a healthy weight, achievable through regular fitness training, could help to prevent common types of cancer, according to health experts.

Figures from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) show more than 78,000 cases of 12 common cancers could be prevented by leading a healthier lifestyle including regular exercise and a balanced diet.

This includes 16,100 cases of bowel cancer and 19,100 cases of breast cancer.

Dr Laura Bell, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "It's been known for a long time that thousands of cases of cancer could be prevented by changes to lifestyle."

She advised that in addition to maintaining a healthy weight, giving up smoking and staying clear of sunbeds could also reduce the risk of cancer.

WCRF also found that only 60 per cent of people in Britain are aware of the link between diet and cancer.

Speaking about the importance of awareness, Dr Bell said it was worrying that many people did not know about the links between lifestyle and cancer risk.

"It's important to raise awareness of the cancer risks that most of us can do something about," she said.