One in eight women will get breast cancer as lifestyle blamed for huge rise in cases

Up to 47,700 women are being diagnosed every year, equal to 130 a day. That is double the number 30 years ago.

Experts describe the figures as a ‘wake-up call’ and say thousands could avoid the disease if they drank less, maintained a healthy weight and took more exercise.

The rise has also been blamed on the fact that increasing numbers are delaying motherhood and consequently having fewer children. The figures show that there are now 124 cases per 100,000 women, twice as many as any other type of cancer.

Scientists believe some forms of breast cancer are triggered by the sex hormone oestrogen, which is linked to obesity, alcohol consumption, having fewer children and not breastfeeding.

They also blame hormone replacement therapy taken by millions every year to combat the symptoms of the menopause.

Figures from Cancer Research UK show that 47,700 women were diagnosed in 2008, compared to 42,400 in 1999 and just 24,120 in 1978.

Women are most at risk once they reach the menopause and 22,900 new cases – almost half – occur among those aged 50 to 69.

Doctors believe many tumours are caused by unhealthy lifestyles and are urging women to change their eating and drinking habits, particularly during the menopause.