World Cancer Research Fund has responded to the UK government’s first multi-year spending review, where the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, set out departmental budgets over the next 3 years.
Under their Health Mission, the government has committed to shifting from sickness to prevention, affirming that prevention is better than cure. This spending review marks a critical opportunity for the government to set out their investment to this commitment.
In this review, the Chancellor committed:
- £29bn for the day-to-day spending of the NHS to 2028–29.
- £80m per year for tobacco cessation programmes and to support the delivery of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill.
- £10bn in NHS technology and digital transformation by 2028–29.
- £22.6bn per year for research and development by 2029–30, including medical research.
Responding to the spending review, World Cancer Research Fund’s Executive Director of Research and Policy, Dr Giota Mitrou, said:
Today the Chancellor reaffirmed Labour’s Health Mission, including their commitment to shift from treatment to prevention. 40% of all cancer cases are preventable: as leading experts in cancer prevention, we know that primary prevention remains the most sustainable and cost-effective way to tackle cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
For example, while we are glad to see that the government will be investing £80m per year to tackle tobacco, we need to see similar efforts applied to obesity and alcohol. The expansion of free school meals is a step in the right direction and the type of action we hope to see in the upcoming 10-year Health Plan.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UK Women’s Cohort Study, the initial funding for which came from World Cancer Research Fund. Since its inception, this research – based at the University of Leeds – has grown into one of the largest and longest-running studies of diet and health in the UK. It continues to make a significant impact and serves as a foundation for ongoing research to this day.
The study was set up by Prof Janet Cade, who still works at University of Leeds. We’re looking forward to celebrating the study and its impact with her at a special event on Thursday 3 July 2025. We’d love to hear from any of the 35,000 women who were involved in this study, and would like to celebrate with us, Prof Cade and the team at Leeds.
Documents from the UK Women’s Cohort Study
Get involved
If you were part of the cohort, do contact Michael Clark on 020 7343 4205 or e-mail m.clark@wcrf.org to share your story or to be part of the celebrations.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Action needed on NCDs – now
Much work needs to happen between now and the HLM in September. We’re attending the Multi-stakeholder Hearing in New York this week to engage Member States and share our priorities. Our advocacy will continue through our annual participation at the 78th WHO World Health Assembly this month, as we promote the benefits of cancer prevention policy.
We’ll participate in advocacy activities and side-events, promoting our HLM policy brief, which outlines our key messages. Civil society must continue its vital role in pushing for change and shaping an impactful Political Declaration.
We’ll collaborate with our longstanding partners such as NCD Alliance, UICC, World Obesity Federation and Movendi International to support the cancer and NCD prevention policy agenda. In the lead-up to the HLM in September, we’ll continue this series doing a deeper dive into each of these policy asks, and share our reflections as progress develops.
If you would be interested in supporting these advocacy asks, please reach out to policy@wcrf.org.
