A substantial number of U.S. adults hold fatalistic beliefs about cancer and are correspondingly less likely to take basic steps to lower their cancer risk, such as exercising, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

"Many Americans seem to feel afraid and helpless in regards to cancer, which may be exacerbated by conflicting news reports and a general lack of education on the causes and prevention of cancer," Jeff Niederdeppe, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, said in a statement. "They say, "Well, there is nothing much you can do about it,' and, as our survey shows, they indeed do nothing about it."

About 47 percent of those surveyed thought almost everything causes cancer, 27 percent thought there wasn't much people could do to lower their risk of cancer and 72 percent said there were so many recommendations about preventing cancer, it was hard to know which ones to follow.