Press releases

Biggest ever review: how breast cancer can be prevented

1 September 2009

The biggest ever review of research into lifestyle and breast cancer has confirmed that women can reduce their risk by maintaining a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol, being physically active and breastfeeding their children.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) study, which has been carried out by scientists at Imperial College London, has looked at the evidence on the links between breast cancer and diet, body weight and physical activity.

The study, to be published later this year, is an update to the breast cancer section of the cancer prevention report WCRF published in 2007. The findings on breast cancer in the 2007 report were based on the results of 873 studies, while the updated research has added 81 studies that have been carried out since then.

Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser for WCRF, said: “This study represents the clearest picture we have ever had on how lifestyle affects a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

“This means we are now more sure than ever before that by limiting the amount of alcohol they drink, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, women can make a significant difference to their risk.

“We estimate over 40 per cent of breast cancer cases in the UK could be prevented just by making these relatively straightforward changes. About 45,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK, so it is clear these changes could make a big difference.

“As well as this, there is also convincing evidence that mothers who breastfeed reduce their risk and breastfeeding probably also reduces babies’ chances of gaining excess weight as they grow.”

Because of the link between body fat and cancer, WCRF recommends people aim to be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. The charity also recommends that people are physically active for at least 30 minutes every day and that, if they drink at all, they should limit consumption to two drinks a day for a man and one for a woman. Also, mothers should breastfeed exclusively for up to six months and then add other liquids and foods.

The report on breast cancer is part of the Continuous Update Project, which is a unique project being run by WCRF. The long-term goal is to continuously update the findings of WCRF’s 2007 report so that cancer prevention advice is always based on the latest research.

Breast cancer is the first type of cancer the researchers have looked at as part of this update, and they have now started to review the evidence for bowel cancer and prostate cancer, both of which are expected to finish early in 2010. The long-term aim is that the evidence for every type of cancer will be being updated.

Marilyn Gentry, Chief Executive of WCRF, said: “As a charity we believe it is important that people have access to advice that is based on the latest scientific research and this is why we are proud to be funding the Continuous Update Project.

“When people read about new research it is impossible for them to take the findings and weigh them up against all the other research that has been done but the idea of this project is to do that job for them.

“These are still quite early stages in the project but once it is fully up and running it will mean that people all over the world will always have access to up-to-date advice about how they can make lifestyle changes that can reduce their risk of cancer. We believe this can play an important role in the fight against cancer.”

ENDS

For more information contact Richard Evans on 020 7343 4253.

Notes to editors:

• For more information on the Continuous Update project, visit http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/cu
• The systematic literature reviews for the 2007 report have now been published online at www.dietandcancerreport.org. The breast cancer update is expected to be published on the site later this year.
• Following the research by Imperial College, a panel of 10 experts from around the world makes judgements. Four of the panel are based in the UK.

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About WCRF

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) raises awareness that cancer is largely preventable and helps people make choices to reduce their chances of developing the disease.

This includes research into how cancer risk is related to diet, physical activity, and weight management, and education programmes that highlight the fact that about a third of cancers could be prevented through changes to lifestyle. For more information on the charity’s work, visit www.wcrf-uk.org

The WCRF report, called Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective, was launched in November 2007 and is the most comprehensive report ever published on the link between cancer and lifestyle. For more information, visit www.dietandcancerreport.org