Objective: To describe the approach underpinning a national project to estimate the
numbers and proportions of cancers occurring in Australia in 2010 that are attributable to
modifiable causal factors. Methods: We estimated the population attributable fraction
(PAF)(or prevented fraction) of cancers associated with exposure to causal (or preventive)
factors using standard formulae. Where possible, we also estimated the potential impact on
cancer incidence resulting from changes in prevalence of exposure. Analyses were …