New Research- Cancer, Diet and Activity

Posted 02 November 2007

Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer

On Thursday 1st November the World Cancer Research Fund released a new report entitled 'Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer'.

This latest report on cancer and diet brings together a collection of evidence to support specific recommendations (amongst others) to avoid processed meats and control weight gain in order to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

This publication follows the first report on diet and cancer prevention, first released by the World Cancer Research Fund in 1997.

How does the new report differ from the first?

Since the 90's there has been a deluge of new evidence and research. New technology coupled with new methodology means that it is necessary to review current recommendations in light of the new evidence.

The new report published just a few days ago is an accumulation of several years of work, designed to review all relevant research together with new evidence, to produce a comprehensive and up to date set of recommendations expected to reduce the risk of cancer.

What were the key areas of interest?

There were several areas of specific interest in the report namely food and drink, physical activity, body composition and weight gain.

Under the food and drink umbrella, key areas of interest included meat, alcohol, sugars and salt.

What were the findings?

The findings of the report were translated into personal recommendations and public health goals. These goals and recommendations are seen as a basis for personal choices and public health policy, which would be expected to reduce the risk of cancer in individuals and communities.

Additional to the recommendations are the panels findings on the dietary habits which are most protective against cancer.

Recommendations...

• 1. Be as lean as possible within the healthy weight range.
  Personal recommendation - Avoid weight gain and increases in waist circumference throughout adulthood.
• 2. Be physically active every day.
  Personal recommendation - Walk briskly for at least 30 minutes per day - and aim to increase to 60 minutes plus.
• 3. Limit consumption of energy dense foods and avoid sugary drinks.
  Personal recommendation - Consume energy dense and fast foods sparingly, avoid sugary drinks.
• 4. Eat mostly foods of plant origin.
  Personal recommendation - Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg per day, eat unprocessed cereals or pulses with each meal, limit refined starchy foods.
• 5. Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.
  Personal recommendation - Consume less than 500g/week of red meat with very little, if any, being processed.
• 6. Limit alcoholic drinks
  Personal recommendation - Limit alcoholic drinks to no more than 2 drinks/day for men and 1 drink/day for women.
• 7. Limit consumption of salt.
  Personal recommendation - Limit intake to less than 6g per day- avoid salt preserved and salt added processed foods.
• 8. Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.
  Personal recommendation - Dietary supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention.
• 9. Mothers to breast feed.
  Personal recommendation - Aim to breastfeed infants exclusively to the age of 6 months.
• 10. Cancer survivors to follow recommendations for cancer prevention.
  Personal recommendation - All cancer survivors to receive nutritional care from a trained professional.

What should we take from this report?

Throughout the report the panel are clear in their message - prevention does not mean elimination but a reduction in occurrence and the recommendations should be understood within this context.

They also highlight that as with other diseases, the risk of developing cancer is not only down to nutritional factors but a combination of social, environmental, economic and ecological determinants and therefore personal food and activity choices can be constrained.

However, since it is estimated that around one third of cancers are preventable by means of diet the importance of eating a healthy diet can not be ignored.

Additionally, its important to remember that apart from a more stringent recommendations in relation to weight and processed meats, most of the recommendations are not 'new' - we are already aware of the importance of avoiding sugary foods, salt, and fast food, whilst increasing our intake of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains as well as being physically active.

The good news is that as a member of Fitbug you can be sure that we'll be encouraging you to be more active and eat a diet high in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains as part of our overall philosophy for helping you to achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle.