Cancer Prevention Blog

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

The worrying news that Britain tops the list for oesophageal cancer among our European neighbours was high on the news agenda today, with coverage in a number of daily newspapers.

The Daily Mail, Daily Express, Metro, Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph and Guardian were among the papers to report on figures from WCRF showing how the UK compares unfavourably with other European nations, with 6.4 out of every 100,000 developing the disease every year – nearly double the European average of 3.3 per 100,000.

Our press release was also reported on by a number of influential regional … Continue Reading

Maya Monteiro, World Cancer Research Fund’s Senior Education Manager, attended the Nutrition and Health Conference in London last week as part of the expert panel. Here is her account of the event:

I was asked to sit on an expert panel at the Nutrition and Health Conference in London on Friday, alongside two nurses, a dietitian, a nutrition manager for Waitrose and the director of communications for the Food and Drink Federation.

We were there to discuss diet and lifestyle, and how we could make the kinds of changes needed to turn the UK’s health around.

Health professionals made up the majority … Continue Reading

Men at higher risk of cancer

As we come to the end of Male Cancer Awareness Month, WCRF UK investigate why, in these days of so-called gender equality, men face a higher risk of cancer.

In the UK, we are living longer than ever before, but national statistics show that men don’t enjoy as many years of good health as women and they also have a shorter life expectancy. Overall, men are at a greater risk than women for most common cancers that occur in both … Continue Reading

Beer and football: a good mix?

The news that Budweiser will be sponsoring the FA Cup is disappointing.

Whatever good commercial reasons there may be for selecting Budweiser as a sponsor, it is bad news from a health perspective.

Many children enjoy watching football, so the fact that one of the main football tournaments is sponsored by Budweiser means that lots of children are going to be exposed to the marketing of an alcoholic drink.

We would question whether … Continue Reading

Expensive wine: still a cancer risk factor

There is an interesting debate going on in Australia following a warning from the Cancer Council Australia that drinking alcohol increases cancer risk.

This reflects the findings of our Expert Report, which is the most comprehensive report ever published on how what we eat and drink affects our cancer risk.

This is why we recommend that, if people do drink alcohol, they should … Continue Reading

Red wine: a cancer risk factor?

Today is the first day of Cancer Prevention Week, and as part of our media activity I did an interview on Radio 5 live this morning about the myth that wine, and red wine in particular, can prevent cancer.

It doesn’t. In fact, the opposite is the case.

There is now very strong evidence that drinking alcohol increases risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer and bowel cancer.

And … Continue Reading

Alcohol: a cancer risk factor

I did an interview with BBC London radio station this morning about new research suggesting many cases of cancer are caused by alcohol.

This new study supports what we have been saying for some time – there is convincing evidence that alcohol increases risk of a number of types of cancer, including bowel cancer and breast cancer.

This is why we recommend limiting consumption to two drinks a day for a man and one … Continue Reading

Alcohol: a cancer risk factor

Yesterday I went to the House of Lords to attend the launch of the Alcohol Concern report Making alcohol a health priority.

Before the reception to launch the report, I took part in a discussion about the issues surrounding alcohol and health and Cancer Research UK and Bowel Cancer UK were also represented.

I was pleased to hear them both draw attention to the strength of scientific evidence that … Continue Reading

Wine: a cause of breast cancer?

Those of you who read the Daily Mail may have seen an article today ‘One daily glass of wine can double risk of breast cancer‘ .

The study from the United States found that one or more drinks a day doubled the risk of lobular breast cancer. This type of breast cancer accounts for about 10 to 15 per cent of breast cancer cases.

The article also included a quote from me. At WCRF we feel it … Continue Reading