OTTAWA, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- As many as 2.5 million Canadians could be at risk of developing cancer because they do not eat enough fruits and vegetables to reap cancer-fighting benefits, according to a new study released here Wednesday.

    These who do not exercise enough and do not keep their weight in check could also be at risk of developing cancer, suggests the study by Cancer Care Ontario.

    And governments should be quick to institute educational campaigns about these preventable deaths, similar to the steps taken in the war against tobacco, authors of the study said.

    The survey found that up to 30 percent of cancers in Canada's Ontario Province could be prevented if Ontarians ate more fruit and vegetables, got more exercise and kept their weight in check.

    It also found that 835,000 Ontario adults - more men than women- did not get even the minimum required amount of fruits and vegetables and exercise, and did not keep their weight below the healthy body mass index of 25.

    The survey backed its findings by saying cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, larynx, lungsand bladder all have "convincing or probable evidence for prevention by vegetable and fruit consumption." Esophagus, colon, rectum, breast, uterus and kidney cancers seem to be positively affected by maintaining a healthy body weight, and physical activity may combat cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, uterus and prostate.

    Health agencies recommend that adults eat five or more servingsof fruits and vegetables a day, but 40 percent of adults fail to consume that minimum, Cancer Care Ontario adds. Enditem