Cancer Prevention Blog

Press coverage: helping raise cancer awareness

Three years ago WCRF commissioned YouGov to carry out the first survey of cancer risk awareness, asking people “Which, if any, of the following do you think increases your risk of getting cancer?”

We asked the question because we wanted to find out how much people knew about the lifestyle factors behind cancer risk, as well as measure our success in raising awareness over the following years.

The January 2009 poll showed that only … Continue Reading

Physical activity can reduce cancer risk

All of us know the health benefits of exercise, including cancer prevention, but less people appreciate that this doesn’t have to consist of long sessions in a gym – it can include any physical activity that gets us working a bit harder such as a walk or a spot of gardening.

The second recommendation in WCRF’s 10 Recommendations for Cancer Prevention – a product of the 2007 Second Expert Report, which examined nearly 7,000 research studies … Continue Reading

A new government TV campaign aims to encourage people to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Evidence shows that many millions of people in the UK drink more than the recommended limits on a regular basis, and many are unaware of the increased health risks. So this is a welcome initiative.

The advert, part of the Government’s healthy lifestyle initiative Change4Life, highlights the health risks associated with drinking too much alcohol, including increasing the risk of cancer. Its message is that … Continue Reading

A safe cycling policy has a positive affect on reducing cancer risk

The Times is running a campaign calling for cities to be made safe for cyclists. This is a campaign WCRF wholeheartedly supports because it will promote cycling as a form of transport and physical activity.

Our 2009 Policy Report – which sets out changes that can be made at all levels of society to reduce the number of cancer cases – notes that the built environment profoundly affects lifestyles, most obviously in terms of physical activity.

Levels … Continue Reading

Raising awareness: World Cancer Day 2012

Today is World Cancer Day and WCRF is happy to support the initiative and raise awareness around the world about cancer prevention.

This year we have been particularly busy helping our colleagues at the Union for International Cancer Control in promoting the target of cutting cancer and other non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart and lung disease by 25 per cent by 2025.

Staff at our London office tried their hand at a bit of movie stardom – with a select few appearing … Continue Reading

Understanding why you crave unhealthy foods is one step towards beating them.

If you started 2012 with a resolution to lose weight or give up unhealthy foods, you may be finding it hard to keep to your good intentions.  If that’s the case, understanding why you crave certain (often unhealthy) foods at regular intervals throughout the day is one step towards beating those cravings.

Everyone experiences cravings from time to time.  But why is it that we suddenly want chocolate after a healthy meal?  Why … Continue Reading