A recent survey of 4,000 residents of the UK yielded the surprising finding that many people believe they are completely powerless against cancer and that whether or not they contract the disease is just a matter of luck. That attitude was markedly higher among smokers.

Half of those who smoke hold that view, the organization said.

The results are based on a survey of 4,000 people who were asked whether they thought they could take effective steps to lower their risk of getting cancer or felt it was just the luck of the draw.

Roughly 27 percent of the respondents in the study blamed cancer on fate.

Among those from the least well off areas, that figure climbed to 43 percent.

Only 14 percent of people from the most privileged areas believed getting cancer was strictly bad luck.