CPAW 2025 diary

World Cancer Research Fund staff and supporters outside parliament

Find out what we achieved during Cancer Prevention Action Week, as we presented our petition to No 10, tabled an Early Day Motion on cancer and alcohol, and much more.

Author: World Cancer Research Fund

Published: 20 June 2025

Alcohol and cancer: let’s talk – that was the theme of this year’s Cancer Prevention Action Week. For 7 days on 23–29 June, we talked to politicians, gave radio interviews and spoke to experts about alcohol and cancer. Plus, we shared news and views across our socials:

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Bluesky

How Cancer Prevention Action Week unfolded

Monday’s highlights

> Brits find it harder to talk about alcohol than sex or money

> Our campaign video launches

Yorkshire GP speaks out in support of CPAW:

Dr Nigel Wells, Medical Director and Executive Director Clinical & Care Professional Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and practising GP:

As a GP, I know people can be reluctant to talk about alcohol or share concerns about their drinking – so it doesn’t surprise me that only 2 in 10 people across Yorkshire and the Humber feel comfortable doing so.

But alcohol isn’t harmless – it increases the risk of 7 types of cancer, and, too often, people simply aren’t aware. If this campaign helps someone pause and ask whether alcohol might be affecting their health, and encourages them to speak to a healthcare professional, it will have made a real difference. We need to make these conversations as routine as those about smoking or diet – and that starts with creating a safe, non-judgemental space in every consultation.

We tabled an Early Day Motion in support of Cancer Prevention Action Week. And Alcohol Focus Scotland, a key supporter of this year’s campaign, tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament on alcohol and cancer.

Tuesday’s highlights

Holyrood

Alcohol Focus Scotland organised a photo call at Holyrood with Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). Photographed are 11 MSPs, including the Cabinet Secretary for Health Neil Gray; Jackie Baillie, Labour’s deputy leader and health spokesperson, and Presiding officer Alison Johnstone. Read more on LinkedIn

Sheridan Dixon, of South Tyneside, was interviewed on ITV Tyne Tees about how she has reduced her drinking as part of efforts to stay cancer free. We’re grateful to our partner Balance North East for helping us share Sheridan’s story.

Wednesday’s highlights

World Cancer REsearch Fund at Downing Street

We headed to No 10 Downing St to present our petition to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Prof Lord John Krebs, Chair of our Global Cancer Update Programme, tabled questions in the Lords on the links between alcohol and cancer, keeping the issue high on the political agenda:

1

Lord Krebs to ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for cancer.
2

Lord Krebs to ask His Majesty’s Government whether the national cancer plan for England will address alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for cancer.
3

Lord Krebs to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of public awareness levels of the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.
4

Lord Krebs to ask His Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to classifying alcohol as an unhealthy product under high fat, sugar and salt marketing restrictions to (1) strengthen limits on alcohol advertising, and (2) reduce alcohol exposure among vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents.
5

Lord Krebs to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of minimum unit pricing on alcohol-related cancer incidence.

CPAW supporter Prof Richard Cooke published research showing that policymakers and drinkers are speaking different languages when it comes to alcohol consumption. He says: “Policymakers need to construct policies to reflect the importance of emotions in drinkers’ narratives. This fits in with psychological theories of drinking behaviour which propose that people drink for different reasons.”

> The language of alcohol: Similarities and differences in how drinkers and policymakers frame alcohol consumption, published in Drug and Alcohol Review

Thursday’s highlights

Health professionals can be instrumental in helping individuals reset their relationship with alcohol and we supported them with a free webinar on Alcohol and cancer risk: What every health professional needs to know.

In the This Is Powerful podcast, Paul Sculfor talked to nutrition expert Dr Federica Amati about alcohol and cancer.

Friday’s highlights

On the blog: It’s mocktail Friday! Start your weekend early with some fizzy fruity creations

Saturday and Sunday’s highlights

Time to take a breath … alcohol is a major part of how many of us socialise, relax and celebrate. But nearly 4% of cancer cases in the UK are down to alcohol – around 17,000 new cases every year.

We hope this Cancer Prevention Action Week has given you an insight into the risks we’re all taking when we drink.

Our research shows that most people don’t know that drinking any amount of alcohol increases the risk of 7 types of cancer.

What happens next?

Cancer Prevention Action Week is just the start. We want to spark an ongoing national debate: with friends, family – and within government – about alcohol and cancer so that everyone can make more informed choices about their health.

But the UK government has said it won’t include mandatory comprehensive restrictions on alcohol marketing in its 10-year Health Plan – despite these being a proven, cost-effective way to reduce alcohol harm.

This is hugely disappointing. Contact the Prime Minister to make it clear that public health must be protected – and that cancer prevention cannot be sidelined.

Take action

Magnificent mocktails with a fruity vibe