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 Press releases & statements |
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| Cash boost for Leeds cancer study |
November 27, 2007
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Cancer researchers at the University of Leeds have received a cash boost today, thanks to a £42,602 grant from World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
The grant will fund a ten-month study examining the role of fruits and vegetables in avoiding weight gain in middle-aged women at the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Leeds.
Being overweight or obese is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Previous studies have suggested that in women, weight gain during and after the menopause is most strongly linked with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Fruits and vegetables are low calorie, low fat and high in dietary fibre, so eating a diet high in these may help avoid weight gain and thereby reduce the risk of developing certain cancers.
The researchers will use existing data collected from 14,030 middle-aged UK women over a five-year period to assess the effect of diet, and in particular fruit and vegetable consumption, on weight gain
Dr Victoria Burley, who is leading the study, explained: “Research on diet in relation to risk of disease, in this case cancer, has largely focussed on the effects of single nutrients or foods. However, people eat a combination of foods and it is these dietary patterns that may be more useful when explaining obesity risk.
“As the prevention of weight gain in middle-aged women is of high importance for reduced cancer risk, as well as more general health, the provision of healthy eating messages that convey appropriate advice regarding dietary selection is of prime importance. That’s why this funding is so welcome for a study of this nature”
Luice Galice, WCRF General Manager, said: “We are always looking to support innovative research that can improve our understanding of the link between diet and cancer, and this is why we are pleased to support this study.
"We are confident that this will be a really valuable piece of research and we are looking forward to finding out the results.”
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