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19 November 2008
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Talking to our scientists |
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In 2004/2005, members of the WCRF research and education teams made a number of visits to some WCRF grantholders in the UK and mainland Europe. As well as monitoring the progress of WCRF funded projects, these visits also allow WCRF grant holders to meet WCRF staff and learn about the organisation.
For further details of funded projects see or contact the Research Team at research@wcrf.org.
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Bowel cancer
Meat and Bowel Cancer
Open University, UK - Professor David Shuker
Our first visit of 2004 was to Professor David Shuker and his PhD student Srikanth Ponnada at the Open University in Milton Keynes, UK. In collaboration with Dr Phil Burns (University of Leeds) and Dr Monica Hollstein (German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg) this team is investigating the possible link between red meat and the risk of bowel cancer.
Red meat contains haem, a substance derived from red blood cells which causes a reaction in the gut that converts the amino acid glycine into a toxic substance which can damage DNA and can give rise to mutations in genes which may ultimately be necessary for cancer to occur.
Meat intake has been consistently associated with increased risk of bowel cancer but we have yet to discover what might underlie this. A combination of environmental and genetic factors is thought to be important in determining the risk of cancer. This study has developed a way of measuring exposure to compounds in food by looking at specific markers that may increase cancer risk. A further grant has been awarded to Professor Shuker, in collaboration with Professor Sheila Bingham (Cambridge), to look at the use of this marker in identifying diets that may affect the risk of bowel cancer.
Research abstract
Photo (from left to right): Professor David Shuker,
Dr Sharon Moore, Miss Ourania Xeniou |
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Fibre and Bowel Cancer
INRA, France - Dr Christine Hoebler
In March 2004, research staff from WCRF International and education staff from WCRF FR visited Dr Christine Hoebler and PhD student Estelle Gaudier at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Nantes, France.
The purpose of the project is to study the effect of oligofructose, a type of carbohydrate that is poorly digested in the small intestine, on the amount of mucin, a protein secreted in the gut, and the number of gut bacteria, and how this might affect the risk of bowel cancer. It is thought that certain types of gut bacteria and improved protective properties of the mucin layer may protect against cancer of the gut.
Four scientific publications have resulted from this study. Estelle Gaudier was awarded her PhD in 2005 and was highly commended by her examiners.
Research abstract
Photo: Dr Hoebler (second from right) and her team |
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Folate deficiency and bowel cancer risk
University of Sheffield, UK - Dr Elizabeth Williams
In April 2005, we visited Dr Elizabeth Williams and PhD student Kevin Waltham. Dr Williams and Prof John Mathers (University of Newcastle) are investigating whether a mother’s intake of folate during pregnancy affects her offspring’s lifelong risk of bowel cancer. Results are expected in October 2005.
Folate is found in a wide variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables and women are advised to increase their folate intake during pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects. It is also becoming increasingly clear that nutrition in early life may modify the risk of developing diseases such as cancer in later life. Evidence is also accumulating for an association between folate intake and risk of bowel cancer. Low folate intake is thought to disrupt the replication of cells and alter normal gene expression. This group is investigating if there is an association between folate intake and status during pregnancy and markers of bowel cancer risk.
Research abstract
Photo (from left to right): Dr Elizabeth Williams and Kevin Waltham |
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Breast cancer
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
In October 2004, WCRF International research staff and Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WCRF NL) staff visited Dr Petra Peeters, Dr Carla van Gils and Dr Paulus van Noord. The team updated us on the following WCRF NL funded projects: Natural phytoestrogens and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands - Dr Petra PeetersThis study investigated dietary phytoestrogen (plant substances which have both oestrogen-like and anti-oestrogenic properties) intake and the risk of post menopausal breast cancer. The final results show that, in this Dutch population intake of phytoestrogen was not related to breast cancer risk. Research abstract
Photo: Dr Petra Peeters |
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Caloric restriction and breast cancer risk
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands - Dr Paulus van Noord
Dr Paulus van Noord and PhD student Gerco Haars are investigating whether there is a link between calorie restriction due to the Dutch hunger winter (a famine during the closing months of World War II), mammographic density and breast cancer. This study uses a breast cancer screening cohort and data suggest that breast cancer risk was higher in women exposed to severe calorie restriction during the famine than those that were not. Further investigations are ongoing.
Research abstract
Dr van Noord presented this work at the WCRF International/AICR research conference in July 2004. |
Photo:
Dr Paulus van Noord |
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IGF polymorphisms and breast cancer
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands - Dr Carla van Gils
Photo: Dr Carla van Gils |
This study led by Dr Carla van Gils has just started and is studying the links between diet, differences in the gene for a growth hormone called IGF, mammographic density (breast screening) and breast cancer risk.
Research abstract |
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Diet, Physical Activity and Breast Cancer risk
University of Bristol, UK - Dr Imogen Rogers
| In November 2004 we visited Dr Imogen Rogers, Dr Pauline Emmett and Dr Ashley Cooper at the University of Bristol, UK for an update on their project on how diet and physical activity may influence the age at which girls start their periods (menarche). Dr Rogers and her team have been collecting and analysing information on diet and exercise from 4500 girls participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study on Parents And Children (ALSPAC). Measurements undertaken include height, weight, Body Mass Index and a whole body scan. |
Photo:
Dr Imogen Rogers |
Research abstractALSPAC |
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Prostate cancer
Diet and Prostate cancer
University of York, UK - Dr Steven OliverIn January 2005, Dr Steven Oliver from the University of York gave a presentation on his study on diet and prostate cancer to WCRF staff and supporters. Dr Oliver and his team are currently collecting and analysing food diaries from 15,000 men who undergo prostate cancer screening. The ultimate aim of his study is to compare the diet of men with and without prostate cancer in order to help understand any links between nutrition and prostate cancer.
Research abstract
Photo (from left to right): Dr Steven Oliver, Dr Pauline Emmett, Prof George Davey-Smith, Prof Jenny Donovan, Dr Andy Ness, Prof David Gunnell, Dr Athene Lane |
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All cancers
Childhood diet and cancer risk
University of Bristol, UK - Professor David GunnellIn March 2004, Professor David Gunnell from the University of Bristol gave a presentation to WCRF staff and supporters on his study on childhood diet and lifelong cancer risk.Professor Gunnell and his team are investigating the influence of body measurements including birth weight, height and body mass index and childhood diet on lifelong cancer risk using diet and growth data collected for 5000 children in a survey carried out between 1937 and 1939. These people are now in their 60s, 70s and 80s. The research team have obtained and analysed blood samples from over 700 surviving study members. Their aim is to investigate whether variations in growth factor (insulin-like growth factors) levels in the circulation provide a link between previously documented associations of childhood growth and diet with adult cancer risk. Professor Gunnell has found evidence that some aspects of childhood diet and growth are related to adult insulin-like growth factor levels. Findings have been submitted to leading medical journals and it is expected they will be published next year.
Research abstract
Photo (from left to right): Professor David Gunnell, Susie Potts and Dr Richard Martin |
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Dietary selenium and cancer risk in UK
University of Liverpool, UK - Professor Malcolm JacksonIn February 2005,we visited Professor Jackson, Dr McArdle and Post Doc Stephanie Dillion. The right amount of selenium in the diet is essential for maintenance of good health but dietary intakes of selenium in the UK have fallen by 50% in the last 20 years and daily intake is now thought to be around 30mg/day. The UK reference nutrient intake is 75mg/day for men and 60mg/day for women. There are several dietary sources of selenium including Brazil nuts, offal, fish, eggs, poultry and cereals. Professor Jackson and his team are exploring how different levels of selenium in the diet influence the immune system and whether this in turn prevents tumour formation. Results are expected in April 2006.
Research abstract
Photo (from left to right): Dr McArdle and Dr Stephanie Dillion and
Professor Malcolm Jackson |
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Measuring diet using biomarkers
University of Cambridge, UK - Professor Sheila BinghamIn July, we visited Professor Sheila Bingham and Dr Natasa Tasevska, a WCRF funded PhD student at the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit in Cambridge, UK. Professor Bingham updated us on her project, which aims to search for and validate new dietary biomarkers. Biomarkers are important to validate food intake which is reported from questionnaires or using food diaries. Professor Bingham and her team have developed predictive biomarkers for sucrose (important for obesity and its link with cancer), thiamine (a vitamin found in cereals, meat, and vegetables) and nitrogen and potassium and have shown that these can be used to verify study participants’ reports of their food consumption The outcome of this WCRF funded research will enable larger studies to measure diet more accurately.
Research abstract
EPIC
Photo (from left to right): Mrs Shirley Runswick, Dr Natasa Tasevska,
Professor Sheila Bingham, Mrs Val Church, Miss Judith Wills |
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