The number of cancer cases diagnosed around the world each year has risen by almost a third in the past decade as increasing life expectancy means millions of more people will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

Researchers said there was also cause for concern in the rise in skin, lung and colorectal cancers, which could largely be prevented by addressing lifestyle habits like smoking and diet.

The Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration audits diagnosis rates and deaths of 29 types of cancer around the world each year.

Its latest report, published in the JAMA Oncology journal, shows there were 17.2 million cancer cases, and 8.9 million cancer deaths around the world in 2016.

This is an increase of 28 per cent in new cancers between 2006 and 2016, much of which is attributed to an expanding and ageing population as well as screening and diagnostics which can catch cancers sooner.

However, the biggest growth has been seen in low and middle income countries – emerging markets which have been targeted by tobacco giants and an influx of cheap convenience foods in recent decades.

“This highlights the importance of focusing tobacco control efforts on lower socio-demographic index countries (SDI),” the authors wrote. “To avoid these countries’ having to experience the same tragedy of unnecessary tobacco related deaths that many high SDI countries have had to face.”

Lung cancer remains the world’s biggest cancer killer, accounting for 20 per cent of all deaths in 2016, although among women breast cancer remains the biggest killer.

The authors add that the growing recognition of air pollution from cars and industrial sources and even household chemicals must be considered as “important risk factors” for cutting lung cancer deaths.

The increasing popularity of alcohol alongside processed foods and sedentary lifestyles are also factors that have contributed to a rise in colorectal cancers above the level expected from population growth alone.

Australia and New Zealand have some of the highest rates of cancer diagnosis, the audit found.

“While the increase in lung, colorectal, and skin cancers over the past decade is concerning, the prevention potential is substantial,” said Dr Christina Fitzmaurice, assistant professor of global health at the University of Washington.

13 ways to help prevent cancer Show all 13 1 /13 13 ways to help prevent cancer 13 ways to help prevent cancer Stopping smoking. This notoriously difficult habit to break sees tar build-up in the lungs and DNA alteration and causes 15,558 cancer deaths a year 13 ways to help prevent cancer Avoiding the sun, and the melanoma that comes with overexposure to harmful UV rays, could help conscientious shade-lovers dodge being one of the 7,220 people who die from it 13 ways to help prevent cancer A diet that is low in red meat can help to prevent bowel cancer, according to the research - with 30 grams a day recommended for men, and 25 a day recommended for women 13 ways to help prevent cancer Foods high in fibre, meanwhile, can further make for healthier bowels. Processed foods in developed countries appear to be causing higher rates of colon cancer than diets in continents such as Africa, which have high bean and pulse intakes 13 ways to help prevent cancer Two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables a day were given as the magic number for good diet in the research. Overall, diet causes only slightly fewer cancer deaths than sun exposure in Australia, at 7,000 a year 13 ways to help prevent cancer Obesity and being overweight, linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, causes 3,917 deaths by cancer a year on its own Getty 13 ways to help prevent cancer Dying of a cancer caused by infection also comes in highly, linked to 3,421 cancer deaths a year. Infections such as human papilloma virus - which can cause cervical cancer in women - and hepatitis - can be prevented by vaccinations and having regular check-ups 13 ways to help prevent cancer Cutting back on drinks could reduce the risk of cancers caused by alcohol - such as liver cancer, bowel cancer, breast cancer and mouth cancer - that are leading to 3,208 deaths a year 2014 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Sitting around and not getting the heart pumping - less than one hour's exercise a day - is directly leading to about 1,800 people having lower immune functions and higher hormone levels, among other factors, that cause cancers 2011 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Hormone replacement therapy, which is used to relieve symptoms of the menopause in women, caused 539 deaths from (mainly breast) cancer in Australia last year. It did, however, prevent 52 cases of colorectal cancers 2003 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Insufficient breastfeeding, bizarrely, makes the top 10. Breastfeeding for 12 months could prevent 235 cancer cases a year, said the research AFP/Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Oral contraceptives, like the Pill, caused about 105 breast cancers and 52 cervical cancers - but it also prevented about 1,440 ovarian and uterine (womb) cases of cancer last year 2006 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Taking aspirin also prevented 232 cases in the Queensland research of colorectal and oesophagal cancers - but as it can also cause strokes, is not yet recommended as a formal treatment against the risk of cancer

“Vital prevention efforts such as tobacco control, dietary interventions, and broader health promotion campaigns need to be scaled up in response to this rise in lifestyle-related cancers.”

The rise in lifestyle cancers has been offset in part by a drop in cervical and stomach cancers, which are caused by infectious diseases like the human papillomavirus.

However, this also shows the inequities that remain in cancer care. Women in less economically developed countries, where costly vaccination and screening programmes are less common, are four times more likely to develop cervical cancer and it is the biggest cancer killer in these regions.

“Ensuring universal access to health care is a vital prerequisite for early detection and cancer treatment,” said Dr Fitzmaurice. “Improving access to advanced diagnostic technologies not commonly available in low-SDI countries is a critical step towards achieving health equity globally.”