Latest news and blogs

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.

Here is our year in numbers

1 shared vision to stop preventable cancer

Estimated figures show that approximately 40% of cancers could be prevented by modifying key risk factors such as smoking, poor diets, obesity, low physical activity levels, and alcohol consumption.

Our Research Interpretation team have worked hard to deepen our understanding of the factors influencing the risk of developing, and the chance of surviving, a cancer.

5 CUP Global Panel meetings on the risk factors cancer incidence and survivorship

We have met with our CUP Global Expert Panel (a group of world-renowned independent experts from a variety of disciplines) to discuss the scientific evidence that early life body measurements affect later risk of developing breast cancer, as well as the evidence of the impact of physical activity, diet and adiposity (fatness) has on quality of life after a colorectal cancer diagnosis.

We have also formulated new recommendations for the public on the impact of various dietary lifestyle patterns on cancer incidence, following our discussions with the CUP Expert Panel.

99 associations reviewed by the CUP Global experts

There are many modifiable factors that may be associated with developing cancer, or worsen cancer prognosis after diagnosis. This year, we reviewed 99 of them from across the cancer survivorship and cancer incidence evidence.

2 reports published on cancer survivorship

This year, we released 2 reports that summarise the complex evidence on diet, nutrition, physical activity and body weight for people living with and beyond breast and colorectal cancers. Drawing on that evidence and additional inputs from experts, health professional and patients, we produced practical guidance for patients.

We now recommend that, “after a breast cancer diagnosis, people are physically active. However, physical activity should be increased under the supervision of healthcare professionals”. We also outline recommendations for future research, as lots remains to be done in this field.

9 peer-reviewed papers; 5 published, 4 under review.

Five CUP Global peer-reviewed papers have been published this year in academic journals, to share our findings with the scientific community.

Three of them reported on the impact of sedentary behaviour, body fatness, or dietary factors and supplement use after a colorectal cancer diagnosis, while a 4th paper summarised the strength of this evidence. Our CUP Global findings on the effect of dietary and lifestyle patterns and breast cancer incidence were also published in 2024.

Another 4 manuscripts are under peer review. They report on the latest CUP Global work, including the effect of both dietary and lifestyle patterns and early life body size on colorectal cancer risk.

1 new gateway on Health Open Research

Keeping our work transparent is important. A benefit of having a gateway on a site such as Health Open Research is that it allows a central space for us to hold our research outputs and makes them openly available to everyone interested in our work. Check it out here!

16 conferences and events dissemination events

Professor TH Lam speaking at the Chinese Anti-Cancer Conference

Our CUP Global findings were presented on many occasions and to various audiences (the scientific community, health professionals, the public, students and our supporters) across the globe this year.

• At both the World Cancer Congress during a symposium, a rapid firerapid-fire session and a symposium, the 4th Nutrition and Cancer Conference, the Oncology Professional Care conference, and the Chinese Anti-Cancer Conference.
• Throughout 8 lectures at UCL, ICL, and Oxford Brookes, and a 3-day course at Wageningen University & Research
• During a webinar hosted by Breast Cancer Now
• At 2 WCRF supporters’ events in Manchester and Exeter

1 European Code Against Cancer

We contributed to the development of the European Code Against Cancer, an initiative of the European Commission to inform people about key risk factors for cancer.

2 strengthened methodologies

• We have strengthened the way we draw on our collaborators’ expertise when exploring the biology underpinning the link between diet, nutrition, physical activity and body weight, and cancer. This will deepen our understanding of how nutrition-related factors operate inside the human body to influence the onset of cancer.
• CUP Global is also now equipped with a new way of identifying what evidence, among all the research being produced globally, is worth looking at to best strengthen or expand our recommendations for cancer prevention and survival. We have identified 6 topics whose influence on cancer risk will be explored further within CUP Global:
  1. ultra processed foods,
  2. tea,
  3. coffee,
  4. sugary drinks (including artificial sweeteners),
  5. soy (isoflavones) and
  6. sedentary behaviour.

Looking forward to 2025

We will keep disseminating our CUP Global outputs on cancer survivorship dietary lifestyle patterns and on our imminent early life anthropometry findings. This is to ensure that the public, patients, health professionals, researchers and policymakers are informed about actions they can take. We are looking forward to presenting some of this work at the International Congress of Nutrition in Paris, in August 2025.

We won’t stop trying to further our understanding of the modifiable factors that shape the risk of developing, and the chances of surviving, cancer. With the 6 topics identified for CUP Global in 2025, we can’t wait to share findings from this research and learn more about the best way to prevent cancer.

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:

1. Continuous day-long activity
2. Activity later in the day
3. Early and late-day activity
4. 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).

More on this grant

The combined impact of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic comorbidities on cancer risk and survival among cancer survivors

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.

The Cure has designed 2 limited-edition guitars to raise funds for World Cancer Research Fund. The 2 guitars have been built by Schecter Guitars and the artwork is by Bunny Lake Designs.

Frontman Robert Smith will be donating $250 (£191) from each sale, with Schecter Guitars matching his contribution. This will bring donations to $500 (£383) per guitar. There are only 75 available in total and they are available to order here.

Supporting our work is important to the band members, especially after Roger O’Donnell, The Cure’s guitarist, was diagnosed with blood cancer. He has since been urging others to look out for signs and get tested.

Sarah-Jane Hill, Fundraising Partnerships Manager at World Cancer Research Fund, said: “We’re delighted and incredibly grateful that Robert Smith and The Cure have chosen World Cancer Research Fund to benefit from the sale of these iconic guitars. The funds raised from these stunning instruments will support our prevention and survival work, and help people to live longer, healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer.”

To celebrate our relationship with The Cure, we designed a spicy sandwich for them during Cancer Prevention Action Week last year – they taste just like heaven! To erase those “blue Mondays ” and “grey Tuesdays”, our pitta surprise is perfect for fans of the legendary English alternative rock band – and best of all it helps reduce your cancer risk, too.