Reaction to the Policy Report

When Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention was published in February 2009, it was endorsed by many people and organisations with an interest in cancer prevention and public health.

We have included a selection of comments about the report below:

Prof Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: "The evidence linking diet, physical activity, obesity and cancer has become stronger over the last decade and this report can play a part in people adopting healthier lifestyles.

"I welcome this report, which has been produced by leading scientists in the field. After not smoking, it is clear that diet, physical activity and weight are the most important things people can do to reduce their cancer risk."

Dr Francesco Branca, Head of Nutrition at the World Health Organization, said: "This report represents an important step forward in our understanding of how policies and actions can help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases.

"The report is comprehensive and its conclusions have been made by a panel of global experts. The recommendations will inspire policy-makers and decision-takers to act in a way that will play an important role in the fight against cancer."

Prof Alan Maryon-Davis, President of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "This is easily the most comprehensive guidance yet on how governments, industry, health professions, schools, the media, civil society and others can work more effectively together to help prevent cancer by encouraging and enabling healthier eating, sensible drinking and active living."

"This recommendations in this rigorously evidence-based report should have a powerful impact on decision-makers across the whole of society - from central government to the individual citizen. The whole package amounts to a superb resource and a compelling call to action."

"I warmly welcome this report. It provides decision-makers across the whole of society with a truly comprehensive and joined-up set of recommendations to help prevent cancer through healthier eating, sensible drinking and active living. It's a great resource and a compelling call to action."

Prof Carolyn Summerbell, Chair of the Association for the Study of Obesity, said: The Association for the Study of Obesity is delighted that this new report from WCRF is now available. The link between obesity and cancer is clear, but the importance and depth of this link is underestimated by the public, researchers and policy makers.

“This new report will help to promote a better understanding of the link. The Association for the Study of Obesity ran a very successful joint conference with WCRF in 2008, and we look forward to working with WCRF in the future to help disseminate the evidence base on obesity and cancer.”

Prof Mike Kelly, Public Health Excellence Centre Director for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, said: “I have seldom seen such a thorough attempt to cover all the relevant dimensions in a population approach to prevention.”

Jeanette Longfield, Co-ordinator of Sustain, said: “This report is yet further evidence that changes to our environment are fundamental if we are to achieve results in the long-running and successful campaigns to improve people’s health and well-being through food.”

Dr Charlie Foster, Senior Researcher, University of Oxford (BHF Health Promotion Research Group), said: “This is an authoritative report that I expect will play an important role in helping to set the agenda for how policy can reduce the number of cancer cases. As well as cancer prevention, it will also be relevant for public health in general, as the kind of behaviour that reduces cancer risk is also relevant for helping prevent other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.”

Dr Sarah Cant, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "Today’s report helps highlight that leading a healthier lifestyle plays an important part in reducing breast cancer risk. We know that maintaining a healthy body weight, regular exercise and limiting alcohol intake are some of the few things women can do to reduce their chances of developing this disease. Governments, organisations and individuals working together to ensure we all have the opportunity to make healthier choices is key."

Richard Davidson, Cancer Research UK's Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: "Around 13,000 cancer cases in the UK are linked to being overweight or obese.

"And even more are linked to poor diets, drinking too much alcohol and not doing enough exercise. After smoking, these are some of the biggest preventable causes of cancer. Doing nothing could be disastrous.

"We've been working hard to raise awareness of this link for many years and we welcome this report in highlighting the need for a truly integrated approach to cancer prevention.

"There is no magic bullet, no one single fix to the problem. If we are to tackle the situation, we need individuals, business and government to work together to encourage healthy lifestyles by promoting things like cycle lanes and food labelling."

Arlene Wilkie, Director of Research and Policy at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "There is growing evidence that leading a healthy lifestyle, including being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight has never been more important.

"This report suggests that such an approach may cut the number of breast cancer cases in the UK by around 19,300 each year, almost half the annual incidence.

"While Government and other organisations can provide us with information to make it easier for us to take control of our own health, we must not underestimate the importance of taking individual responsibility.

"However, despite improvements that can be made to our diet and lifestyle to reduce cancer risk, there are many other factors involved in its development, such as age and genetics.

"As well as concentrating our efforts on prevention, we need to research all areas of breast cancer for those living with and beyond this disease."