How we spend your money

At World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) we are committed to preventing cancer by funding scientific research to develop our understanding of how diet, physical activity and weight management affect out cancer risk. We also have an education programme that tells people what simple steps they can take to reduce their risk.

Funding research

We invest over £2 million per year on scientific cancer research into how people can reduce their risk of cancer.

This includes our science grant programme, which funds research projects at universities and research centres in the UK such as Cambridge University and Bristol University, as well as other studies overseas.

In 2007 we also launched the most comprehensive report ever published into the links between cancer risk and lifestyle. At a time when it is easy to get confused by the sheer number of things you hear about what increases or decreases cancer risk, our Expert Report looked at the evidence before making 10 Recommendations for cancer prevention that people can incorporate into their daily lives.

This report looked at what individuals can do to reduce their cancer risk. We will soon be publishing a companion Policy Report that will make recommendations about what difference groups within society can do to help prevent cancer. You can find out more information in our research section.

Cancer prevention education

As well as funding research, WCRF UK has an education programme that spreads the lifesaving message that cancer is a largely preventable disease. Recent surveys have shown that while there is still a long way to go, people are becoming more aware about how they can reduce their risk of cancer.

Children: WCRF UK has a children’s programme that includes working with teachers and running our Great Grub Club for primary age children with the aim of getting them into healthy habits as early as possible.

Publications: We produce an award-winning set of publications that interprets scientific research and gives the information to the public in an accessible way.

Newsletter: We publish a newsletter for our supporters four times a year that keeps them up-to-date with scientific findings and gives practical advice about making healthy lifestyle changes.

Health professionals: WCRF UK works with health professionals to enable them to educate patients and clients using sound, reliable information, which has been reviewed by experts. This includes publishing Informed, a newsletter aimed at health professionals.

Media relations: We have a team that works with the media and regularly secures coverage for our educational message about how people can reduce their cancer risk. WCRF UK’s launch of our cancer prevention report won the Charted Institute of Public Relations’ award for Healthcare Campaign of the Year.