Cut out alcohol and bacon entirely to slash the risk of cancer, a new global blueprint on preventing the disease says.

Its authors said all sugary drinks should also be shunned, advising people to “stick to water” as part of efforts to cut their risk by up to 40 per cent.

The 10-point plan, issued by the The World Cancer Research Fund (WRCF), follows a review of studies on 51 million people – the most comprehensive analysis yet of the causes of the disease.

It links excess weight to at least 12 cancers – more than twice as many as its assessment a decade ago and sets out specific advice on how to cut the risks.

Researchers said that “very strong evidence” linking unhealthy lifestyles to cancer had grown since 2007, prompting them to issue the tough recommendations.

And they said that on current UK trends, obesity could overtake smoking as the leading cause of cancer within two decades.