Cancer Prevention Action Week 2022

Phil Vickery was our ambassador in 2022, when we highlighted the cheap, nutritious Cupboard Heroes that can help prevent cancer – rather than the ‘super’ foods that are often promoted this way.

World Cancer Research Fund urged people to look in the back of their cupboards and make heroes of their forgotten basics for Cancer Prevention Action Week 2022.

You don’t need to eat goji berries or other “superfoods” every day to help prevent cancer. The basic foods that often languish in our cupboards can hold the key to improving our health. Even better, most of us already own them.

> Eating everyday ‘Cupboard Heroes’ can save your life

In a survey commissioned by World Cancer Research Fund, respondents were asked to select from a list of common, nutrient-rich staple foods including tinned tomatoes, rice and pulses, which all align with one of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations: eat a better diet. 97% of people owned at least one of these items.

The nation’s most loved staples were tinned tuna and pasta (both 27%), while the least loved foods were dried pulses (4%), and seeds and tinned carrots (both 6%).

> On the blog: Why you should be eating more pulses

To help people make the most of their ingredients, we developed a Cupboard Heroes recipe generator where people can type in their cupboard (or fridge, or freezer) basics and discover delicious and healthy recipes that can also help reduce the risk of cancer.

Phil VickeryI’m thrilled to be partnered with World Cancer Research Fund to raise awareness of these important findings. Eating fuss-free staple foods has so many benefits.

It’s never too late to change your diet and improve your health, and you really can make showstopper meals which are full of flavour using unexpected ingredients
– author and chef Phil Vickery 

As part of Cancer Prevention Action Week 2022, we offered a Cupboard Heroes downloadable poster for everyone – and the great news is that you can still get your hands on one for FREE.

The poster includes tips and ideas on how to turn your store Cupboard Heroes into exciting, healthy meals that the whole family can enjoy.

> Download your free Cupboard Heroes poster

> On the blog: Learn to love your kitchen cupboard essentials