Researchers

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) works with researchers in universities, medical schools and research institutes around the world, aiming to improve our understanding of the causes of cancer and how it can be prevented.  As well as our research section, the information presented here may be of particular interest to researchers and those working within the scientific community.

Research Grant Programme

WCRF UK is the principal UK charity dedicated to the prevention of cancer through the promotion of healthy diet and nutrition, physical activity and weight management, funding research worth approximately £1 million annually.

WCRF International manages and administers the International Research Grant Programme (consisting of the Regular Grant Programme and the Request for Application (RFA) Programme) on behalf of its member organisations in the UK, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and France. As the principal charity in the area, WCRF International’s Research Grant Programme is dedicated to funding research into cancer prevention through food, nutrition, physical activity and weight management.

Full details of the WCRF International Research Grant Programme and information on future calls for applications.

WCRF UK funded research

For full details of all WCRF global network funded research between 2001 and 2008. For information about research prior to 2001, contact research@wcrf.org.

Collaboration with Breast Cancer Campaign

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) and Breast Cancer Campaign consider grant applications from UK researchers to fund research into the effects of food, nutrition, physical activity and weight management on breast cancer.

Preference will be given to applications that have direct relevance to human cancer; consider diets or foods as a whole and/or use whole body systems; and use foods or dietary constituents in physiological amounts.

The two charities have so far co-funded projects worth £195,000, at the Royal Free & University College London Medical School and at the Christie Hospital NHS Trust in Manchester.

2005/11
Effects of early life nutrition on the risk of breast cancer

Diana Kuh, PhD
Medical Research Council (MRC), Royal Free & University College London Medical School

The MRC National Survey of Health and Development, a nationally representative sample of 2815 men and 2547 women followed since their birth in March 1946 to aged 59 years, is one of the few cohorts with incident breast cancer and prospective indicators of early nutrition. Earlier research based on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development has shown that women of higher birth weight who grew rapidly in childhood, were most at risk of developing breast cancer, particularly before menopause. This study investigated the effect of early nutrition on breast cancer risk and mammographic density. It tested whether any effects are explained by early growth, adult diet and body size, reproductive characteristics, lifestyle, or lifetime socioeconomic circumstances.

2005/25
The effect of intermittent vs chronic energy restriction on biomarkers of breast cancer risk in premenopausal women - a randomised trial

Michelle Harvie, PhD
University of Manchester

Heavier women are at greater risk of developing breast cancer. Weight loss is likely to reduce the risk among heavier women but the optimum weight-reducing diet to reduce cancer risk is unknown. The study explored the best dietary approach to reduce breast cancer risk amongst heavier women with the aim of informing future breast cancer prevention programmes. It tested whether strict calorie restriction for just two days/ week had a better effect on weight loss and levels of hormones and cancer-causing substances, and was easier to follow than a moderate calorie restriction over each day of the week. It also compared the two dietary approaches in 178 premenopausal women who were at high risk of breast cancer on account of family history and a relatively large weight gain over a period of six months. 

UK Conferences

Other Research Activities

For further information about the research activities of the WCRF global network, please visit our research section.