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Evidence for our Recommendations

Our Recommendations are based on a rigorous systematic review of the evidence relating diet, physical activity and body weight to the incidence of cancer, as well as an expert review of biological pathways (mechanisms) that could plausibly explain a causal link between the exposure and the risk of cancer.

Be a healthy weight
Scales for measuring body weight and a tape measure

Be a healthy weight

Keep your weight within the healthy range and avoid weight gain in adult life

Understand the research
Be physically active
Physical activity

Be physically active

We recommend being physically active as part of everyday life – walk more and sit less

What our Panel found
Eat a better diet
Vegan diets

Eat a better diet

Make wholegrains, veg, fruit and beans a major part of your usual diet

Read the evidence
Limit 'fast' foods
UPFs

Limit 'fast' foods

Limit consumption of ‘fast foods’ and other processed foods high in fat, starches or sugars

Read our research
Limit red and processed meat
A steak

Limit red and processed meat

Eat moderate amounts of red meat and eat little, if any, processed meat

What we say about meat
Cut down on sugary drinks
Sugar

Cut down on sugary drinks

Limit sugar-sweetened drinks, and consume mainly water and unsweetened drinks

What the data tells us
Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol

Limit alcohol consumption

For cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol

What’s the evidence?
Do not use supplements for cancer prevention
A glass of water and a bottle of pills

Do not use supplements for cancer prevention

Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone

Why don’t they help?
Breastfeed your baby, if you can
Breastfeeding

Breastfeed your baby, if you can

Breastfeeding is good for both mother and baby

What the data tells us
After a cancer diagnosis
An older woman sitting on a windowledge, using a tablet

After a cancer diagnosis

For the best results, follow our Recommendations, if you’re able to

Read through the data
Regional variations
A lit-up map of the world

Regional variations

Depending on local customs, we aren’t always able to provide global advice

Where things differ
Endorsement of our research
Stock image of a young bearded man, wearing glasses, surrounded by computer monitors in an office. In front of him there are screens showing maps of the world with associated data.

Endorsement of our research

Explore the studies that back up our advice

Read in more detail
CUP Global 4-step process

What’s our process?

Understand the 4-step method we use to evaluate our guidance and recommendations

Start with step 1