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| Half of people unaware of link between body fat and cancer |
March 20, 2008
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The World Cancer Research Fund has launched a competition for Bolton residents to win a T-shirt signed by Amir Khan.
About half of people in Britain do not know that being overweight is a cause of cancer, according to a new survey.
The survey, which was carried out by YouGov for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), found that just 52 per cent of people knew about the link between excess body fat and cancer risk.
This is despite the fact that there is convincing scientific evidence that body fat is a cause of six types of cancer, including bowel cancer and post-menopausal breast cancer.
The survey also found that less than half of people knew that drinking alcohol and not being physically active (both 38 per cent) increase cancer risk, while only 57 per cent of people knew that having a poor diet increases cancer risk.
And despite the widespread media coverage by WCRF’s recommendation on processed meat last year, less than a third (30 per cent) of people knew that eating processed meat increases risk of cancer. In fact, scientists have found convincing evidence that it is a cause of bowel cancer, which has led WCRF to recommend that people avoid eating it.
Lucie Galice, General Manager of WCRF, said: “It is a real concern that so many people are unaware that they can make a difference to their risk of cancer just by eating healthily, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
“The evidence on this is really clear and in fact scientists estimate that about a third of cancer could be prevented just by doing these things.
“It is important that people know about how they can reduce their cancer risk so that they are able to make informed lifestyle decisions. But it is clear we have a long way to go in terms of getting the message across that cancer is a largely preventable disease.”
ENDS
For more information contact Richard Evans on 020 7343 4253.
Notes to editors
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,178 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th - 12th March 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
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. |
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WCRF UK, 19 Harley Street, London W1G 9QJ - Tel: 020 7343 4200 - Fax: 020 7343 4201 - wcrf@wcrf.org
Registered Charity No. 1000739
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