At an event to mark World Cancer Day, the Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, announced the development of a National Cancer Plan for England.
He also launched of a new, world-leading trial that is testing AI tools to diagnose breast cancer cases earlier. More than 700,000 women are expected to take part.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, with more than 59,000 people being diagnosed in the UK in 2021.
Alongside this, Streeting announced a new initiative called the UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Trial Research, which will help to maximise opportunities for the UK to lead in clinical research.
It is being hosted by the Association of Medical Research Charities, of which World Cancer Research Fund is a member.
Responding to the launch of the Government’s consultation on the National Cancer Plan for England, World Cancer Research Fund’s Executive Director of Research and Policy Dr Giota Mitrou, said:
“Around 40% of cancer cases can be prevented by making our lives and the environment we live in healthier.
“We therefore warmly welcome the UK Government’s consultation on the National Cancer Plan for England and commitment to publishing the Plan this year. Marking a pivotal opportunity to shift the dial from sickness to prevention, the Government must ensure the Plan is truly transformative and achieves a step change in cancer prevention so that more people can live free of cancer.
“The launch of a new UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research also provides a welcome focus to maximise opportunities for cancer research. As a member of the Association for Medical Research Charities leading this work, we stand ready to share our expertise on research in cancer prevention and survivorship.
“Overall, the Government’s announcement is a huge step in the right direction. We look forward to working with the Health Secretary and others to make the Plan a reality.”
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Eating a wide variety of food may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, according to research funded by the World Cancer Research Fund network* and published in the European Journal of Cancer.
Little is known about how eating a wide variety of food species, also known as food biodiversity, may benefit our health or affect our cancer risk. Food species refer to a distinct type of plant or animal, such as wheat, chicken, or salmon. For example, salmon, mackerel, and tuna are all separate food species, even though they share some biological traits and belong to the same food group. Similarly, rocket, lettuce and spinach count as separate food species, even though they are all leafy green vegetables. However, chicken and a chicken’s egg belong to the same food species even though they are different types of food.
This study is the first to examine how the number of different food types consumed, measured as Dietary Species Richness (the number of species an individual consumes per year) affects the risk of the following gastrointestinal cancers:
- Oesophagus
- Throat
- Stomach
- Bowel
- Colon
- Rectum
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Liver
The study followed 450,111 cancer-free adults in 9 European countries from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort for 14 years. The researchers, from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, found that individuals with the most diverse diets, by including more food species in their diet, had a 23% lower risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers compared with those with the least variety. The risk decreased by 6% for every 10 extra species per year added to their diet. People can do this by including more variety in the types of fruit and vegetables they eat, for example, choosing to eat local and seasonal fruit and vegetables of different colours.
Food biodiversity includes eating different types of food that provide the necessary nutrients for maintaining health. Investigating food biodiversity is important because it has the potential to benefit public health and sustainable food systems.
Dr Helen Croker, our Assistant Director of Research and Policy, said: “Diets have become more limited in the types of foods eaten and they are often high in fat, sugar and salt. However, for cancer prevention, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced and varied diet with plenty of wholegrains, pulses, vegetables and fruit.”
Dr Helen Croker
This study is particularly interesting because it looks at the number of different foods people eat and the impact it can have on their cancer risk, in particular gastrointestinal cancers. More research is now needed to confirm these findings and further explore the link between dietary diversity and cancer prevention.
Dr Inge Huybrechts
This study shows how a more diverse diet, including a large variety of species, could lower the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, emphasising the importance of eating a wide variety of foods. The idea behind a diverse diet consisting of many types of plants and animals species may provide essential nutrients for the body while also strengthening ecosystems, making them more resilient, productive, and sustainable.
This study was funded by Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds based in the Netherlands, as part of the World Cancer Research Fund International network.
Achieving a balanced combination of exercise and controlling our waistline is far more effective in reducing our risk of cancer than doing just one or the other, according to a study funded by World Cancer Research Fund.
In the world’s first study looking at the effectiveness of combining these measures, we found that only doing one is not enough to lower our risk of cancer. The study, which looked at more than 300,000 people, found that:
- People not meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on waist circumference are at 11% greater risk, even if they are physically active.
- People not meeting WHO guidelines for physical exercise are at 4% greater risk, even if “abdominally lean” (ie they have a smaller waist).
- Achieving neither means a 15% greater risk.
The study – WHO guidelines on waist circumference and physical activity and their joint association with cancer risk (Lead researcher: Prof Michael Leitzmann, University of Regensburg) – was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Prof Michael Leitzman
We're excited about the insights we’ve uncovered regarding the interplay between waist circumference and physical activity in reducing cancer risk. Our findings highlight the value of addressing multiple factors together, showing that both maintaining a recommended waist size and being physically active are critical for cancer prevention. This research reinforces the importance of practical, achievable changes that can have a meaningful impact on health over time.
Dr Helen Croker
This is the first study to examine the independent and combined impact of waist circumference and physical activity levels. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach instead of focusing on a single factor to reduce cancer risk. Maintaining a healthy weight and, in particular, having a waist circumference within the recommended level and being physically active, along with eating a healthy diet, are all crucial steps to reduce cancer risk. People can start by making small, sustainable changes like incorporating regular movement into daily routines or choosing healthier food options.
World Cancer Research Fund has been at the forefront of cancer prevention in the UK and globally for decades. We developed Activ8, a free 8-week programme to encourage people to move more, eat well and reduce their cancer risk. Every step is backed by science and brings our Cancer Prevention Recommendations to life.
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New UK statistics from World Cancer Research Fund show a 3.7% rise in the total number of cancer cases diagnosed in women in 2021 compared with 2019, while cases in men remained relatively stable.
In the UK, 395,181 cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2021, the latest year for which data is available for all 4 devolved nations: 200,870 in men, and 194,311 in women. These figures were compiled using data from the 4 UK cancer registries and include the latest overall UK incidence, as well as information about cancer within each of the 4 devolved nations.
Cancer cases in men remained stable (increasing very slightly by 0.2% to 200,870 in 2021 from 200,386 in 2019), while among women there were approximately 6,800 more cases in 2021 than in 2019 (194,311 up from 187,434 in 2019) – an increase of 3.7%. This means that although men still experience more cases than women, the difference is rapidly narrowing. The difference in the number of cases falling from approximately 12,900 in 2019 to 6,500 in 2021.
Why are UK cancer cases rising in women but not men? Dr Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu explores the evidence
Find out moreAlthough the number of cases significantly increased among women but not men, this still meant an overall increase of 2%. There could be several reasons for this, for example, changes in behaviour that began decades ago. An example of this would be rates of smoking declining earlier in men than women, with lung cancer incidence subsequently peaking much earlier in men than women.
Behaviour and prevention key
This shows that behaviour and prevention remain a key factor in reducing cancer risk: 40% of cancers could be prevented through changes in modifiable risk factors and behaviours. These include eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy bodyweight, and not smoking. Therefore around 158,000 cancer cases in the UK could be prevented a year.
Breast cancer remains the most common type of cancer among women in the UK, and the most common overall, with 59,115 new cases in 2021. This means that 3 in 10 new cases of cancer in women in 2021 were breast cancer (30%). Meanwhile, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. In 2021, 51,575 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed – accounting for just over a quarter (26%) of all new cases of cancer in men in the UK.
Dr Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu, a consultant with our Research Interpretation team, said:
“While the total number of cancers is still higher among men than women, the latest increases among women, and decreases among men, suggest that this difference is declining quite rapidly.
“It is likely that any changes in the number of new cases are partially explained by behaviour. This will be particularly true for those cancers for which there is strong evidence that behaviour increases risk. For example, smoking increasing lung cancer risk or processed meat and alcohol increasing bowel cancer risk. Following our Cancer Prevention Recommendations can help people reduce their cancer risk.”
About World Cancer Research Fund
World Cancer Research Fund examines how diet, nutrition, weight and physical activity affect people’s risks of developing and surviving cancer. As part of an international network of charities, we fund life-saving research, influence policy and raise public awareness. Our work helps prevent cancer and enables people to live longer, healthier lives.
Preventing Cancer. Saving Lives
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Governments, researchers and organisations (including World Cancer Research Fund) need to keep track of how the number of cancer cases in the UK changes from year to year. This helps with the planning, development, and undertaking of cancer research and evidence-based policy.
Each of the 4 devolved nations of the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) regularly report cancer incidence, as well as mortality, through their Cancer Registries. World Cancer Research Fund then uses these data to produce detailed cancer incidence and mortality tables and publishes this information on our website. At the same time, we analyse the data to see how cancer numbers are changing.
Comparing cases of cancer in the UK from 2019 to 2021
In 2021, the most recent year for which data are available, there were 395,181 cases of cancer in the UK. Of these, 200,870 were in men (up very slightly from 200,386 in 2019) and 194,311 in women (up from 187,434 in 2019).
Cancer cases: 2019 and 2021
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 200,386 | 187,434 | 387,820 |
| 2021 | 200,870 | 194,311 | 395,181 |
In terms of percentage changes, cancer incidence among women increased by 3.7% between 2019 and 2021 but stayed pretty much the same for men (increasing by only 0.2%). This means that while the number of cases only increased significantly among women, there was still an overall increase of approximately 7,400 cases, or 2%.
So, although men still experience more cases of cancer than women, the difference in the number of cases between the sexes fell from approximately 12,900 in 2019 to approximately 6,500 in 2021.
How are cases of the most common cancers changing in men and women?
Breast cancer remained the most common type of cancer among women in the UK, with 59,155 new cases in 2021 – approximately 30% of all cancers. This was followed by lung (23,972) and colorectal cancer (21,945). Our analysis shows that, between 2019 and 2021, cases of all 3 increased in women.
Among men, prostate cancer was the most common cancer in the UK. In 2021, 51,575 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed – approximately 26% of all new cases of cancer – followed by colorectal (27,969) and lung (24,932). While cases of prostate and lung cancer decreased, colorectal cancer cases increased.
Cases of the top 3 site-specific cancers in the UK in 2019 and 2021
| 2019 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Women | ||
| Breast | 56,601 | 59,115 |
| Lung | 23,614 | 23,972 |
| Colorectal | 20,759 | 21,945 |
| Men | ||
| Prostate | 55,068 | 51,575 |
| Colorectal | 25,303 | 27,969 |
| Lung | 25,140 | 24,932 |
Why is the overall number of cancer cases increasing in women but not in men?
There could be several reasons for this. One of the most important is that approximately 40% of all cancers could be prevented by changes in modifiable risk factors – things in our behaviour or environment that can be changed and make the development of cancer more or less likely. For 2021, this would equate to approximately 158,000 cases of cancer prevented.
When we talk about modifiable risk factors for cancer, these include not smoking, avoiding the sun, maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active, and eating a healthy diet.
> More information about what is included in a healthy diet
Simply put, it is likely that any changes in the number of new cancer cases are partially explained by changes in the rates of these behaviours. This will be particularly true for those cancers for which there is strong evidence that behaviour increases risk. One recent example of this is rates of smoking declining among men while still increasing among women. As a result, it is predicted that cases of lung cancer among women will outnumber those among men in the next couple of years.
The links between modifiable behaviours and cancer are supported by a growing body of research demonstrating that following our Cancer Prevention Recommendations can help people reduce their cancer risk.
More news and blogs on cancer stats
We’re delighted to announce £4m of funding to help more people prevent and survive cancer, in the latest round of grants awarded by World Cancer Research Fund International.
Dr Charlotte Le Cornet is looking at how persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – pollutants that are produced or released during industrial or agricultural processes – affect a woman’s risk of breast and womb cancers. Dr Le Cornet is using data in the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort.
Prof Reginald Adjetey Annan is our first ever principal investigator who is from, based in, and researching in Africa. Prof Annan, at Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, will look at breast cancer among sub-Saharan women. Prof Annan took part in a grant writing course for researchers in Africa organised by Cancer and Nutrition in Africa as an initiative of the International Collaboration on Nutrition in relation to Cancer, which we helped fund in 2023 and 2024.
The grant writing course for researchers in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) aims to produce successful grant applications that address unmet needs and focus on understudied populations within these countries. Our investment in such initiatives underscores our commitment to fostering research excellence in LMICs and advancing global health equity.
We fund 2 types of projects: our Regular Grant Programme for established senior scientists, and our INSPIRE Research Challenge for scientists starting out on a career in cancer research.
Our grants are managed by World Cancer Research Fund International on behalf of our network funders: World Cancer Research Fund in the UK, and Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds in the Netherlands. Our network partner, American Institute for Cancer Research, runs a separate grant call for researchers based in the Americas.
Our 2024 Regular Grant Programme awards in full
- Associate Prof Kara Britt, University of Melbourne, Australia, £349,995.01: Mapping the impact of obesity on the normal breast
- Dr Laure Dossus, International Agency for Research on Cancer, France, £349,567: Role of perturbations of cholesterol metabolism in breast cancer development
- Assistant Prof Kalijn Bol, Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands, £349,300: Dietary fibre to induce gut microbiota-mediated response to immunotherapy in melanoma (FIGURE-IM)
- Prof Reginald Adjetey Annan, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, £348,256.56: Metabolic syndrome, gut microbiome, and breast cancer risk among sub-Saharan African women: the African Breast Cancer Screening (ABCS) study
- Dr Sæmundur Rögnvaldsson, University of Iceland, £340,297: Understanding the role of obesity and nutrition in the development of multiple myeloma from its precursors
- Dr Tammy Tong and Dr Keren Papier, University of Oxford, UK, £317,552.13: ProMAP: mapping diet to cancer through the proteome
- Dr Emma Vincent, University of Bristol, UK, £288,577.63: How does adiposity distribution influence risk of obesity-related cancers? Exploring causality and mechanisms
- Prof Roger Milne, Cancer Council Victoria, Australia, £288,407: Diet, weight and physical activity and risk of glioma: an international cohort study pooling project
- Dr Sarah Abe and Dr Manami Inoue, National Cancer Center, Japan, £285,682: Evaluation of the 2018 WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations for use in Asia using pooled data from the Asia Cohort Consortium
- Dr Charlotte Le Cornet, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), £272,589.54: Dietary related persistent organic pollutants (POPs) circulating concentration, BMI, endometrial and breast cancer risk
- Dr Anouk Hiensch, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands, £250,984.74: Uncovering the underlying mechanisms: deciphering exercise’s impact on cancer-related fatigue in patients with metastatic breast cancer
- Dr Lorena Arribas Bellvitge, Biomedical Research Institute – IDIBELL, Spain, £60,000: Weight management in obese cancer patients during curative active treatment (CANOBESE study)
Our 2024 INSPIRE Research Challenge awards in full
- Dr Forrest Baker, The University of Arizona, US, £75,000: Harnessing γδ t-cell therapies with exercise to treat multiple myeloma
- Dr Fernanda Mesa Chávez, Centro Medico Zambrano Hellion, Mexico £75,000: Online mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy
- Dr Baoting He, University of Hong Kong, China, £75,000: Gut microbiota and cancer risk in east Asians: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
- Dr Evertine Wesselink, Wageningen University, Netherlands, £74,995: Connecting the dots: examining the relationship between lifestyle, immune-related tumour characteristics and colorectal cancer recurrence
- Dr David van Dijk, Maastricht University, Netherlands, £74,918.64: Insulin resistance as driver of myosteatosis in colorectal cancer
- Dr Felix Onyije, International Agency for Research on Cancer, France, £74,751.20: Occupational night shift work and sleep imbalance and the risk of testicular germ cell tumours in men and ovarian cancer in women
- Dr Yahya Mahamat-Saleh, International Agency for Research on Cancer, France, £60,000: Identification of novel metabolic signatures related to stressful life events and breast cancer risk and survival
A new study funded by World Cancer Research Fund has found that activity throughout the day, with peaks in the morning and late afternoon, correlated with an 11% reduced risk of developing colorectal (also known as bowel) cancer, compared with other patterns of exercise studied.
This study used accelerometer data (which measures movement) to analyse daily activity. It used a statistical method that examines all of the data and finds common patterns, and how those patterns might be related to the risk of colorectal cancer.
Researchers from Regensburg University utilised data from the UK Biobank, which had contacted 86,252 randomly selected individuals (56% of them women), asking them to wear accelerometers to track their movement over 1 week and following them for 5 years to monitor the development of colorectal cancer. When studying the data, researchers identified a 2-peak pattern of daily physical activity associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk.
The researchers identified 4 different patterns of physical activity throughout the day:
- Continuous day-long activity
- Activity later in the day
- Early and late-day activity
- Activity in the middle of the day and during the night
The 3rd pattern, where people were active both in the early and late parts of the day, was associated with an 11% lower risk of colorectal cancer, compared with 6% for day-long activity and no change for middle of the day and the night. Data from activity later in the day only was inconclusive. These findings held true even when considering factors such as smoking, shift work and other variables that could affect a person’s cancer risk.
Impact on sedentary lifestyles
In addition, the researchers found that a day-long activity pattern most effectively reduced colorectal cancer risk among individuals who were more sedentary. This may be because the effect of physical activity becomes more obvious when contrasted with a previously more inactive lifestyle, meaning that those who are fit and healthy are already at a reduced level of cancer risk. These findings show how beneficial physical activity can be, especially in those who are more sedentary.
Dr Helen Croker, Assistant Director of Research and Policy at World Cancer Research Fund, said:
“Being physically active is one of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations, and we know that this cuts cancer risk. These intriguing new findings offer potential for developing more specific recommendations, including patterns and timing of physical activity, for reducing cancer risk. This shows the vital importance of World Cancer Research Fund continuing to support research that expands our knowledge to inform cancer prevention going forwards.”
Prof Michael Leitzmann, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the University of Regensburg, Germany, who was the lead investigator in the study, said:
“Our study highlights that not only is physical activity important for reducing colorectal cancer risk, but the timing of peak activity throughout the day could play a crucial role. By identifying specific times – early morning and late day – when physical activity is most beneficial, our findings open new avenues for targeted prevention strategies. If confirmed by future research, this could provide a simple yet impactful way for individuals to further reduce their cancer risk through the timing of their exercise.”
Read the paper
Stein, M.J., Baurecht, H., Bohmann, P. et al. Diurnal timing of physical activity and risk of colorectal cancer in the UK Biobank. BMC Med 22, 399 (2024).
About the UK Biobank
The UK Biobank is a large, population-based prospective study, established to allow detailed investigations of the genetic and non-genetic determinants of the diseases of middle and old age. It has 500,000 UK participants between the ages of 40–69.
About the University of Regensburg
The University of Regensburg is a nationally and internationally renowned comprehensive university with an excellent research spectrum, an attractive range of courses and a high sense of social responsibility. The UR stands for diversity, openness to the world and shaping the future. Its research strength is demonstrated by 6 Collaborative Research Centers funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and 9 grants from the European Research Council.
In 2017, the Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS), an affiliated institute of the UR, was the first institution in Regensburg to be accepted into the renowned Leibniz Association, followed in 2022 by the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, which emerged from the Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology. In May 2024, the Regensburg Center for Ultrafast Nanoscopy opened at the university, where the ultra-fast quantum movements of atoms and molecules are researched using innovative, high-resolution slow-motion cameras. In spring 2022, the Science Council recommended funding for the Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology at the UR, a center for basic research in immunomedicine.
Read more
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Notes
The review was done by a team led by Dr Dora Romaguera from the Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) and Biomedical Research Networking Centre – Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN).
The CUP Global research team at Imperial College London, led by Dr Doris Chan and Dr Kostas Tsilidis, supported this work.
Related content
Our first Party Conference: prevention, prevention, prevention
Upon entering the conference, I was greeted by a large amount of media and cameras, although, thankfully, none were for me! The conference was much bigger than I had anticipated and unlike anything I had attended in the past – I’ve presented at conferences such as the European Congress on Obesity and the Health Enhancing Physical Activity conference.
There were different halls and arenas where exhibitions, meetings and fringe events were held. The National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales had a large tractor in the exhibition hall, and another organisation had a double decker bus. There was a great atmosphere with each exhibitor eager to share their priorities for the new government.
In the evening, we attended a talk by The Vegan Society, with strong debates on what constitutes a healthy and sustainable diet. We met our first MP, Dr Simon Opher, and gave him our Policy priorities to prevent cancer.
The costs of prevention
Bright and early on Monday morning, I headed back to the conference arena in anticipation of a busy day ahead and had a 45-minute wait in the rain to clear security.
First on our agenda were sessions hosted by IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) and the Health Foundation on the government’s plans for health and care with Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Due to the delay in getting into the conference hall, I headed to this event 45 minutes early, which was a blessing. Shortly after I arrived, all seats were taken, meaning many people had to stand at the back, with most spectators standing outside with the hope of listening to the event.
Wes Streeting at the Labour Party Conference 2024
One key message from Streeting’s talk was the economic cost of ill health, particularly unemployment due to ill health, with the government needing to take a whole of society approach to tackle this.
How can we improve health?
The next event was hosted by Nesta, a UK innovation agency for social good, on: Shift to prevention and solutions to improve health. A key message for me was the need for political bravery. Nesta presented a range of policy innovations which, it estimated, could reduce obesity by 23% through creating targets for retailers. But that would require taming industry! Is there enough political will?
Governments know what they should be doing but, often, it’s not the most favourable option due to a whole host of reasons – including financial cost. We need a “health in all policies” approach if we’re going to truly tackle the economic aspects of ill health.
The evening ended on a high when Kate and I attended a reception hosted by the Children’s Charities Coalition with speakers including Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, and Janet Darby MP, Minister for Children and Families. Once the speeches ended, Kate and I headed in Gwynne’s direction with the hope of giving him our Policy priorities to prevent cancer, as his ministerial portfolio covers many of the policy areas we work under such as obesity, alcohol and physical activity. The stars aligned and we were able to talk to Gwynne and share our briefing. He agreed to meet us after the conference back in London.
Andrew Gwynne MP and Kate Oldridge-Turner
Closing remarks
The final day saw less rain and Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, deliver his speech.
The final fringe event I attended was hosted by the Recipe for Change Campaign and Diabetes UK on how Labour can achieve its ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children. The main takeaway was ensuring prevention is embedded into all aspects of policy outside of health, so, including prevention in housing and children services, for example.
Overall, the conference was very eye-opening and certainly a great way to make connections with key organisations and people. I believe it’s been a worthwhile visit and helped to raise the profile of World Cancer Research Fund and the work we do to prevent cancer. And it was great to hear about the new government’s commitment to prevention. However, we will have to work together to ensure the words turn into action!
18 September 2024 update
Our findings have been launched at the World Cancer Congress as guidance for people living with and beyond colorectal cancer.
Read the report:
Read the executive summary:
2 May 2024
Our latest findings have been published in the International Journal of Cancer (IJC), presenting research from our Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) – a comprehensive review of the available literature and evidence.
The CUP Global research team at Imperial College London, supported by World Cancer Research Fund International, conducted comprehensive systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate the evidence on body fatness, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and diet with predicted outcomes after a colorectal cancer diagnosis.
Overall, the evidence suggested a physically active lifestyle, a diet rich in plant-based foods, wholegrain foods, and coffee, but avoiding sugary drinks, potentially improve outcomes and overall survival.
The quality of the evidence was independently interpreted and graded by the CUP Global Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel. The Panel graded the quality of the strongest evidence as “limited-suggestive”, however, the rest was graded “limited-no conclusion”.
Only very few relevant randomised control trials (RCTs) with relevant exposures were identified. Many of the studies available for review were observational, looking at a relatively small sample over a limited time. The authors and Panel flagged the high risk of possible biases including confounding elements, inaccurate exposure measurements, and selection bias (inclusion only of patients with some accumulated survival time).
The authors and Panel are calling for better-designed intervention trials and large, well-designed observational studies with more accurate and repeated exposure and confounder information to strengthen this evidence-base. This will allow them to develop improved recommendations for colorectal cancer survivors.
Dr Helen Croker, Assistant Director of Research and Policy at World Cancer Research Fund International, said:
This comprehensive and rigorous review of the current state of evidence offers useful guidance on some of the diet and lifestyle factors that could improve cancer survival, and potentially help people living with and beyond cancer enjoy longer, healthier lives.
At the same time, it shows a clear need for more well-designed intervention and cohort studies to support the development of robust recommendations for colorectal cancer patients and health professionals. As we are seeing an increase of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger ages, it is more important than ever that health advice is based on high-quality research.
Dr Doris Chan, Senior Research Fellow in Nutrition at Imperial College London, and Dr Kostas Tsilidis, Reader in Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention at Imperial College London – both CUP Global lead researchers – said:
We are delighted that our findings have been evaluated by the Expert Panel and are published today in IJC. We analysed several hundred studies, and although most had limitations and potential biases, we are confident that it represents the best and most up-to-date body of evidence that can assist people living with or beyond cancer in making evidence-based decisions on lifestyle changes that can improve their well-being. We are now moving forward with the next phase of CUP Global, including employing AI-enhanced tools to assist us in our examination of cancer risk factors and prevention strategies.
Prof Rudolf Kaaks, Chair in Cancer Epidemiology at the German Cancer Research Center, is the author of the IJC editorial that accompanies the papers. He wrote:
Through its international Global Cancer Update Programme WCRF takes up a central role in organising international expert reviews to summarise the impact of diet, physical activity and excess body weight which provides reliable recommendations on body weight, physical activity and diet in relation to cancer risk.
WCRF and the Imperial College London research team in charge of the CUP Global evaluations are to be commended for their continuing efforts of summarising findings from nutritional epidemiology studies setting highest possible standards for scientific evaluation.
Prof Kaaks’ editorial also refers to a set of linked papers on breast cancer survival, published by the CUP Global team in 2023.
International Journal of Cancer is a bi-weekly peer-reviewed medical journal, and the official journal of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
Dr Sonali Johnson, Head of Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy at the Union for International Cancer Control, said:
The Union for International Cancer Control commends the World Cancer Research Fund for its rigorous scientific inquiry, further advancing our understanding of cancer survivorship, as well as improving outcomes and the quality of life of people who have had cancer. This study also underscores the importance of robust research and data in informing protocols, policies and national cancer strategies.
Colorectal cancer papers
Post-diagnosis physical activity and sedentary behaviour and colorectal cancer prognosis: a Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
> Read this paper, published in the IJC
Post-diagnosis adiposity, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, dietary factors, supplement use and colorectal cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) summary of evidence grading.
> Read the summary of evidence grading in the IJC
Post-diagnosis adiposity and colorectal cancer prognosis: a Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
> Read this paper, published in the IJC
Post-diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and colorectal cancer prognosis: a Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
> Read this paper, published in the IJC
Editorial:
Breast cancer papers
All 4 previously published papers can be found here:
Post-diagnosis body fatness, recreational physical activity, dietary factors and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme summary of evidence grading.
> Read the paper published in the IJC
Post-diagnosis recreational physical activity and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
> Read this paper published in the IJC
Post-diagnosis body fatness, weight change and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
> Read the paper published in the IJC
Post-diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
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Every year, 11 February is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, to recognise the significant gender gap that persists at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The day, which was set up by the United Nations, celebrates women and girls in the field of science, and promotes full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, World Cancer Research Fund is shining a light on the experiences of our female scientists and finding out what led them to a career in science.
Who’s who
- Dr Kate Allen is Science and Policy Adviser at World Cancer Research Fund.
- Becky Camenzuli is our Research Officer (Impact).
- Kendra Chow is our Policy and Public Affairs Manager.
- Dr Jana Sremanakova is our Research Funding Manager.
- Dr Ioana Vlad is our Senior Policy Research Manager.
Why did you choose a career in science?
Jana: “I come from an academic family with a university education spanning 3 generations. My grandfather was a professor in physics and mathematics; my grandma studied linguistics and languages; and my father was an electronics engineer with a love for chemistry. They all exposed me to science throughout my childhood. Despite this, my dream was to be a fashion designer.
Nevertheless, I decided to pursue science following my grandmother’s passing. This was prompted by my grandmother’s diagnosis of advanced-stage colorectal cancer. Witnessing her rapid deterioration and intense suffering made me focus my interest on cancer as a disease. I wanted to understand more about its nature and contribute towards finding a cure and preventive measures, driven by the hope that others wouldn’t suffer like my grandmother.”
Kate: “I was interested in both arts and sciences but, when I was at school, you had to choose. I chose science because I was (and still am) interested in how things work, both in animals and plants. I enjoyed finding out about anatomy, biochemistry and physiology. In later years that developed into more of a medical and health interest, which ultimately led me to work at World Cancer Research Fund.”
Ioana: “I like to say this career chose me. I’ve always had an inner drive to understand how things (life, nature, people) work. This led me to focus on how research and science can improve people’s lives – this is what we sometimes call being evidence-based. I am lucky to now be working for World Cancer Research Fund, where every day our work focuses on how we can change people’s environments so they can live a healthier and longer life.”
Becky: “From a young age, I was naturally more inclined towards science. The fascinating world of nutrition, and understanding how our dietary choices influence health outcomes, intrigued me. Enjoying studying biology and chemistry (for the most part) during my teenage years facilitated my decision to enrol into a nutrition course, leading me to my current role.
What excites me most about a career in science is the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovative research. Contributing to groundbreaking discoveries that can positively impact numerous lives is a driving force behind my commitment to this field. It’s the thrill of being part of something larger than myself and the tangible possibility of making a meaningful difference that keeps me motivated in my scientific endeavours.”
Kendra: “I’ve always had a naturally curious disposition, even when I was little. Matched with strong observational and analytical skills, I’ve always found myself wanting to learn more. I’ve often approached it as a mystery that needs to be solved—I very much enjoy being a scientific detective!
“I started my scientific career in university doing more core science, lab/bench work in biochemistry, and then moving into medical and health sciences through nutrition and becoming a registered dietitian (RD). From there, I found my true passion in public health: where the intersection of health, science and society meet.”
Have you, as a woman, experienced any barriers to success, or discrimination on the way?
Kendra: “Absolutely. At one institution, I experienced harassment and intimidation from supervisors and individuals who were in leadership positions. This behaviour was also enabled and supported by a great number of people who made excuses for it. I’ve also had other classic ‘women-in-science experiences’ with others taking credit for my work, being talked over, not having my ideas or suggestions being taken seriously… the works.
“But, more recently, I’ve had much more positive experiences: benefiting from guidance, leadership and mentorship that has been encouraging, empowering and has fostered my growth as a scientist. I’m hopeful that this is a sign of change and improvement for women and girls in science.”
Ioana: “Looking back, I really didn’t know this career was open to me until I was an adult. I’d have liked to know it was an option earlier. I think I would have then had more practice with confidently asking my million questions, and perhaps been a bit less afraid to ask the wrong question or failing. I sometimes compare it with girls of my generation and sports. Girls now may find it very strange, but when I was a kid girls were not allowed to play football in schools. So now I’ll never know if I could have become a pro footballer (probably not). Of course, I have tried it as an adult (alongside other sports) – but I’m terrible at first because I don’t know any of the rules. Science is a bit like that – you can probably start late (and do if you want to!), but having a bit of practice, as a kid, gives you a head start.”
Kate: “I haven’t experienced discrimination as a woman – but I did experience barriers. When working as a research technician I wanted to do a PhD at the same time (part-time), but the rules were that as a technician you could only do technical type degrees like a BTEC or HND. So I had to make the case for doing a PhD, which involved meeting with senior scientists and having the whole thing discussed by the senior management group. They approved me doing the PhD and after that changed the rules, so anyone in a technical role could pursue a PhD if they wanted to.”
Jana: “I was fortunate on my journey and had excellent supervisors and mentors who helped me. Even before achieving my PhD, I conducted research and published papers as a research assistant. Generally, I would say that women in science still face challenges, particularly if they want to become mothers. The limited support with funding and the break from research during maternity leave can be challenging, but it is still possible to overcome these hurdles. This illustrates women’s strength, organisation, and capability in research, effectively managing both motherhood and science.”
Becky: “The nutrition field is predominantly led by women, so fortunately I have never felt that being a woman has hindered my opportunities. Nevertheless, I recognise and appreciate the challenges faced by many women who came before me, overcoming adversity to pave the way for individuals like me to comfortably navigate the scientific space.”
What would you say to girls to inspire them to follow a career in science?
Kendra: “Stay curious. If someone tells you to stop asking questions … keep asking them! Take charge, be ‘bossy’. Don’t worry about getting yourself or your clothes dirty if the experiment calls for it. Explore, see new worlds – big or small! And always know you belong here, and we need you – your intelligence and strength will advance science for everyone’s benefit.”
Jana: “I recommend girls pursue what they have a genuine passion for. This is particularly true in science, where the journey can be a rollercoaster, ranging from easy to challenging. Undertaking something with a deeper meaning can aid in overcoming challenges and motivate you to persevere. A career in science is rewarding and satisfying in numerous ways.
“Moreover, it’s crucial to recognise that working in science extends beyond academia or the lab. There are diverse clinical research opportunities, collaboration with people, industry positions, or positions in charitable organisations, and the funding sector. These avenues offer significant opportunities for growth and progress.”
Ioana: “This is one of the best jobs in the world. You’ll know it may suit you if you’re always curious about how things work and always asking questions, from yourself and others. What’s more, the answers science gives us can be used to make people’s lives better! But also be prepared to deal with not finding answers immediately, and keep in mind that dwelling in the unknown can be challenging, but also fun and rewarding!”
Kate: “Science gives you the freedom to pursue your own ideas and find out more about the world around you – and gives you the opportunity to discover something that no one else has. Science can be very creative and open doors to a whole range of career paths. I started out as a scientist, then became a medical writer, then set up a new Interactive Education Unit, then moved into science administration at World Cancer Research Fund, and most recently developed policy as a new programme area here. All of that has been built on the foundations of what I learned as a scientist and the skills I developed in a science environment.”