We’re excited to announce that World Cancer Research Fund has joined Our Future Health, the UK’s largest health research programme, as an affiliate partner.

With cancer rates rising and modifiable factors contributing to around 40% of all cases, the partnership represents a bold step in harnessing large-scale health data and decades of scientific insight to prevent more cancers before they start.

The UK Director at World Cancer Research Fund, Steven Greenberg, said:

“It’s tremendously exciting to be a part of the UK’s largest, most diverse health research programme. We know that 40% of cancers can be prevented through modifiable factors such as diet and exercise. With a growing rate of diagnoses, collaboration to better understand these risks is more important and timelier than ever.

“By working together, we’ll be able to combine our own extensive knowledge and experience on cancer prevention with the knowledge and insight coming from Our Future Health to further understand how cancer risk can be affected by diet and lifestyle.

As an affiliate partner, we’ll contribute our global expertise in the links between diet, weight, physical activity and cancer risk, helping guide Our Future Health’s work in identifying preventable risk factors. In turn, we’ll benefit from collaborating with the UK’s largest health research programme – enabling new insights into early detection and public health strategies.”

About Our Future Health

Our Future Health is the UK’s largest ever health research programme. It is designed to help people live healthier lives for longer through the discovery and testing of more effective approaches to prevention, earlier detection and treatment of diseases. Our Future Health is inviting millions of people, from all backgrounds and from across the UK, to take part. Volunteers are providing information about their health and lifestyles to create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK.

Dr Raghib Ali, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Our Future Health, said:

“We’re so pleased to welcome World Cancer Research Fund as our newest affiliate charity partner. We know that cancer will affect half of us in our lifetimes, and together we want to improve cancer prevention, so more people can live longer, healthier lives. Their expertise in funding life-saving research will be really valuable for Our Future Health.”

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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

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

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:

What is a UN High-Level Meeting?

A UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) is convened by the UN General Assembly. World leaders meet to agree actions to address a global issue. This year, the HLM will focus on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, and will be held on 25 September. It’s the 4th meeting to focus on NCDs, after meetings in 2011, 2014 and 2018. A Political Declaration, negotiated by Member States from May to September, will guide global commitments. This year’s HLM will need to address the insufficient progress made so far, and the urgent action needed to reduce the growing burden of NCDs, and improving mental health and wellbeing.

Addressing global burden of NCDs

NCDs cause 75% of global deaths, with 40% occurring before the age of 70. Low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden, with 82% of premature deaths. Cancer is the 2nd most common cause of NCD-related deaths, and cases are rising sharply. Only 19 countries are on track to meet SDG 3.4 by 2030 – risking over 6 million preventable deaths by then, and 40 million by 2060.

Unfortunately, previous HLMs on NCDs have failed to garner strong policy commitments from Member States, lacking specific targets, timelines, financial commitments, or accountability mechanisms – and each successive meeting has noted insufficient progress. This September’s HLM is crucial to reclaim these missed opportunities and achieve strong commitments on the prevention and control of NCDs now, and going forward. We will make the case to Member States on why prevention should be a key priority.

Approximately 40% of cancers are preventable, especially when modifiable risk factors are addressed. Incorporating prevention into the Political Declaration is vital to the success of the HLM as it offers the most effective and affordable long-term method of NCD and cancer control.

Prevention: high-impact and cost-effective

Countries must commit to bold, strategic and measurable targets in the Political Declaration to reduce rates of cancer. Activating prevention as a high-impact and cost-effective health intervention can support a future with fewer cases of cancer and NCDs, alongside fewer costs to human lives, health systems and economies. We have 5 key recommendations to be incorporated into the Political Declaration text:

1. Speed up ‘Best Buy’ policy implementation Accelerating the implementation of evidence-backed policies like the WHO Best Buys – which focus on healthy diets, alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity – would support a positive return on investment and improvements in population health.
2. Implement National Cancer Control Plans, with prevention actions and indicators Only 30% of National Cancer Control Plans include prevention actions and indicators – a hugely missed opportunity. Integrating and financing national plans that prioritise prevention would be an effective, affordable and targeted strategy to reduce cancer incidence and improve outcomes.
3. Invest in NCDs and prevention measures Financial and technical contributions need to be scaled up to match the global disease burden: NCDs cause 75% of global deaths, yet receive only 2% of development assistance. Every $1 invested in cost-effective interventions like the WHO Best Buys yields at least $7 in returns through better health, employment, productivity and economic stability.
4. Address health inequities Cancer disproportionately affects marginalised and lower income populations, not only from higher mortality, but also through increased exposure to risk factors like health-harming products, such as unhealthy food and alcohol.
5. Protect policymaking from health-harming industry interference Member States should commit to protecting policymaking processes from the influence of health-harming industries, and not allow lobbying activities to water down commitments that prioritise and protect health over corporate profits.