Our Blog

WCRF International Policy and Public Affairs Manager Maggie Wetzel talks about her first time at an in-person World Health Assembly.

Kate Oldridge-Turner highlights the non-negotiable areas for the UK government's 10-year cancer plan

Barbados recently doubled a tax on sugary drinks to tackle the growing burden of disease. Maggie Wetzel explores what spurred Barbados into action.

A 2018 study found that more than 50% of the calories that an average person in the UK eats come from ultra-processed foods. So what exactly is ultra-processed food, and should we be limiting it?

As the world marks World Obesity Day 2022, we take a closer look at how the rising trends of obesity could impact cancer prevalence

We're moving towards a greater understanding of diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer by renaming and developing our flagship cancer research programme

We want to find out if there’s a link between stress and cancer, such as whether stress increases the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis, or makes cancer worse, or more likely to recur.

After a busy week at the WHO 150th Executive Board, here are our five takeaways from the bumper agenda

Around the world, countries have focused resources on tackling COVID-19. What has that meant for cancer screening and treatment?

The Policy and Public Affairs team’s new year resolution for 2021 pledged to keep everyone updated on what we’ve been up to through blogs, vlogs and social media. As 2021 draws to a close, we reflect on our achievements

The civil society-led nationwide campaign requesting Congress approve the draft bill on front-of-pack labeling had the slogan "Don't be blinded"

Why aren't people more active? Margarita Kokkorou explores how the World Health Organization's Fair Play approach is encouraging the world to move more

Sigourney aims to empower and encourage future Black Cancer leaders and reduce cancer disparities through education and advocacy

Earlier this year, results from a WCRF-funded study were announced at the European Congress on Obesity

How will those involved at the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) commit to transforming how our food is produced, transported, sold and consumed?

Despite significant efforts to raise awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, current rates are alarmingly low, with many mothers and babies missing out on its benefits

It's the first anniversary of the UK’s latest obesity strategy. What progress has been made and what other opportunities for public policy were catalysed by COVID-19?

COVID has shone a light on why population health is so important but regardless of pandemics, much poor health is preventable

Reflecting on what physical activity policies we've discovered over the past 12 months and what to expect from the future

The UK government has set out plans to introduce a junk food online marketing ban, but just how far will it go?

Two team members reflect on the experiences of being physically active when growing up in their respective home countries

Dietary pattern research helps us understand at a population level how what we eat affects our health

Lindsay Bottoms from the University of Hertfordshire says the 10,000 step target has more to do with marketing than scientific fact

Looking at ways that policymakers, health professionals and parents can help

How can school food programmes deliver healthy diets to young people around the world?

Maggie Wetzel reports from the 148th session of the WHO Executive Board

Why are online ads for junk food an issue?

New research on quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors and diet

The World Health Organization has released new guidelines on how active or sedentary we should be

The Diet and Cancer Report summary is now available in Portuguese

Are micronutrient levels in blood associated with risk of breast cancer?

Prawn-flavoured cheese and food labels: everything you need to know

Are there any positives to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as shining a light on the obesity epidemic?

Foods are not eaten in isolation, so why doesn't research look at dietary patterns instead of single foods?

Policies that make physical activity part of daily life can help tackle obesity

Is it better to have a higher blood concentration of vitamin D after a colorectal cancer diagnosis?

The 73rd World Health Assembly focused on tackling the pandemic and building a better world of health after COVID-19

The executive summary of TER has been translated into German, so Prof Leitzmann takes a look at the impact it may have

Emerging research suggests cooked – rather than raw – tomatoes may have a significant role to play in reducing prostate cancer

Can you boost your immune system to protect yourself from COVID-19?

How intertwined is our nutrition as a child and our risk of cancer as an adult?

Mothers need support before and after the baby arrives, and that means recognising how hard breastfeeding can be

Daphne Katsikioti and Marina Plyta share their experiences of being women working in nutrition research

Rather than studying individual nutrients or foods, Dr Beck researches how our whole diet affects our cancer risk

Marketing restrictions can work, but countries need to act fast amid soaring child obesity rates

Colorectal cancer survivors hardly improve their lifestyle after diagnosis

Read Brian's blog before you make your new year resolutions

At its core, science and research is an international endeavour without borders

Personalised nutrition is the idea that there is a particular pattern of diet that can be tailored to each individual’s specific needs, and so optimise their health. But does it work?

What is Universal Health Coverage and what does it mean for cancer prevention?

If one group says red and processed meat poses no risks, and another advises limiting consumption, where does this leave us?

We've standardised scoring how closely populations adhere to the WCRF/AICR Recommendations

What’s next for our Continuous Update Project, the world’s largest cancer database on diet, nutrition and physical activity?

We’ve reviewed the evidence on the sun and other causes of skin cancer

Acronyms, changing agendas and crafting statements: Margarita shares what it's like at the WHA

WCRF-funded research has gained new insights on oesophageal cancer risk factors in north-east Iran

How has the nutrition transition affected breast cancer risk in South Africa?

Prof Clare Collins explores the impact of pester power and how it can be managed

Dr Rogers reveals why good nutrition is so important in the early years

Tim Lobstein addresses the inherent link between malnutrition and environmental sustainability

Our supporters are feeling inspired on World Cancer Day! Take a look at what they're doing to tackle cancer

Exploring how screen time can affect weight gain, overweight and obesity

Investigating the links between oral infection with HPV and mouth and throat cancers

What do the latest global cancer statistics tell us about cancer in women around the world?

Lynn Silver takes a look at the history and future of sugary drink taxes

Kate Allen introduces our groundbreaking cancer prevention and survival report

Lynch Syndrome carriers have a higher risk of certain cancers, so reaching these people with health information can have a big impact

How can diet and physical activity support patients to better respond to treatment and live a longer and healthier life after a cancer diagnosis?

World Cancer Research Fund is supporting the third International Day of Women and Girls in Science

An update from the IUNS 21st International Congress of Nutrition and recent developments in the analysis of dietary intake data

In the new digital media landscape, children and young people are more vulnerable than they are to television advertising effects

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, but our new report confirms that it is also one of the most preventable

Our evidence confirms that breastfeeding can reduce risk of breast cancer

Taller people are at an increased risk of six cancers. But why?

Many factors influence our diet habits and the type of foods we eat, which in turn affects our cancer risk

We know that drinking alcohol can increase the risk of several cancers, but surely just one drink won’t hurt? Actually it could

Many studies have suggested that drinking large amounts of milk may increase the risk of prostate cancer

Fat cells change the environment inside the body

We asked our female scientists what inspired them to pursue a scientific career

There have been some interesting headlines in the news on how overcooking starchy foods, like toast or potatoes, can increase cancer risk. We look at how strong the evidence is.

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death, but what does this have to do with the prevention of cancer and other NCDs?

The debate between ‘nature and nurture’ is often discussed with strong views and the same is true when it comes to thinking about our risk of breast cancer

Unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, drinking alcohol, and being overweight or obese contribute to the worldwide epidemic of NCDs

Mexico approved a 1 peso tax to drinks with added sugar. Did it have an impact?

What can we learn from Brazil's advances in food security?

The unpleasant symptoms of acid reflux could be doing more damage than just being an inconvenience

Food Revolution is a global campaign to provoke debate and inspire positive, meaningful change in the way we access, consume and understand food

What’s the difference between cardia and non-cardia cancers?

We found strong evidence that certain high-salt foods are a cause of stomach cancer

Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of several cancers, but how does alcohol interact with us to cause this effect?

Urgent action is needed to prevent sugary drink companies from targeting low and middle-income countries

February 4th is World Cancer Day – a day to reflect, plan and act on visions for cancer control

Obesity has become a truly global problem. No longer is obesity simply a high-income country or adult problem

New year is often a time for making healthy changes – to drink or eat less, or get down to the gym more often

We examine the links between red meat, processed meat and colorectal (bowel) cancer

Urbanisation is rapidly taking over many regions of the world, and that may be bad news for our diets

Urgent action is needed, not just to meet targets but for the sake of people who are already obese and overweight

Physical activity apps on smartphones guide users through specific exercises and even full training programmes

World Cancer Research Fund International’s analysis of worldwide research reveals that taller people are at an increased risk of 6 cancers

What if I could eat 40 teaspoons of sugar a day by only consuming products that many people would perceive to be ‘healthy'?

Research is needed on how consuming different foods together affects our likelihood of developing or surviving cancers

How do we ensure that young people grow up to live long and healthy lives? 

Extra weight has major effects within our cells which can lead to the development and spread of cancer

Something is seriously wrong with our relationship with food and we need to act now

Evidence from behavioral psychology shows that people like the foods they do as a result of the environment they grew up in

Tomato products have strong anti-cancer effects in animal models of prostate cancer. But the himan evidence is more complex

Tackling cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and diabetes needs an integrated approach

NCDs are well and truly established on the health policy map

What is it about nutrition that makes it important for the prevention of so many chronic diseases?

Health experts have been warning us for years of the health problems related to our ever-expanding waistlines

Pancreatic cancer is often advanced by the time someone experiences symptoms, which means people often don’t consult a doctor until it’s too late