Neuroendocrine cancers are a group of cancers that develop in cells of the neuroendocrine system. They can develop in different parts of the body such as the stomach, bowel, pancreas, or lungs.

Raine was just 17 years old when her father called her and her siblings with the news.

“It felt like the whole world changed in a second”, she said. “In the following months, I was wracked by fear and unpredictability about what the future held for mum and us.”

For years, Raine also worried the diagnosis might mean a higher risk for her too. Recently, she learned that it isn’t hereditary and her mum’s long-term outlook is encouraging.

Raine watched her mum bravely keep moving forward through her illness, including completing an MBA degree along the way.

“The experience has reshaped how I see health, time, and what’s possible. Every step I take when training is for those who can’t”, Raine shared. “Running the London Marathon is my way of honouring what my mum has been through and helps fund research so families can have more years together.”

In July 2025, Raine ran her first 5km in years. Since then, she has learned so much about the world of nutrition and eating healthier for training. This helped her to steadily increase her distance, recently completing a punishing 28km run.

On long training days, Raine’s dad often cycles alongside her in locations including Stellenbosch, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Raine has also started sharing her progress on social media, something she was initially nervous about.

“Don’t be scared to share your journey”, she said. “People really do want to back you.”

World Cancer Research Fund’s UK Director, Steve Greenberg, commented:

“We are so grateful to Raine for taking on the London Marathon in support of our vital work. Everyone here would like to wish Raine the best of luck as she takes on this incredible challenge in honour of her mum, all while raising awareness about the importance of cancer prevention research.”

Reflecting on her involvement with WCRF, Raine shared:

“I want to help people reduce cancer risk, including for cancers that receive less public attention.”

She’s asking supporters to donate, share her page, and help spread the word.

The race will mark the halfway point in Val Aguilar’s effort to complete the original World Marathon Majors – a challenge in memory of her best friend who lost her life to brain cancer at just 18 years old.

The TCS London Marathon marks the third of Val’s six races, placing her midway through the series which also includes Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and New York.

In London, Val will be running for World Cancer Research Fund – a charity that examines how diet, nutrition, weight and physical activity affect risk of developing and surviving cancer

Val met Mary Katherine in the first year of high school where they formed a friendship that would last a lifetime.

“With her, everything felt like an adventure. Even the simplest or the silliest of things felt like the coolest thing to be doing,” Val shared.

Just four years later, in March 2009, Mary Katherine was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Despite doctors’ best efforts to save her life, she survived just 14 months after her diagnosis.

“Having such a special meaning behind my miles after losing a best friend to cancer makes each run a little bit easier, and each race experience a little bit sweeter,” Val explained.

Through years of training, international travel and physical challenges, Val is fundraising to support organisations committed to understanding, preventing, and treating cancer.

“When I’m racing, I think about who Mary Katherine would be now almost half our lives later. It makes me feel close to someone who I can no longer grow closer to,” she shared.

Val’s London Marathon bid for World Cancer Research Fund highlights the importance of evidence-based prevention strategies and global collaboration to reduce cancer risk.

World Cancer Research Fund’s UK Director, Steve Greenberg, commented:

“We are incredibly grateful to Val for her determination and dedication to supporting cancer research. Her efforts not only raise vital funds but also inspire others to take action in the fight against cancer. By completing the world’s most iconic marathons, Val has transformed her grief into action, proving that one person’s determination can help drive change. 

Val hopes her story will encourage others to fundraise for cancer research, live healthier lives, and spark vital conversations about the importance of prevention.

You can show Val your support by donating or sharing her story below:

Nicole Latini is running the TCS London Marathon this April after training in her native US – raising vital awareness and funds for World Cancer Research Fund on both sides of the Atlantic.

Her London Marathon bid began in 2022 after her dad, Alan Latini, died following a three-year battle with bowel cancer.

Following her dad’s diagnosis, Nicole became committed to transforming her health by losing over five stone (70lbs), running three half marathons, and ‘completely changing’ her diet and lifestyle to help reduce her own cancer risk.

Despite endless rounds of treatment including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and clinical trials, Nicole’s dad faced his cancer with what she described as “gratitude and grace” before sadly passing away on 4 February 2022.

“Anyone who knew my father knew him as charismatic, witty, caring, loving, and someone who would do anything for his family. I miss my dad more with every passing day. Every milestone, holiday, and birthday is a reminder that he’s not here with us and should be.” Nicole added.

Nicole began running one week after her father’s death to cope with her grief, and soon set her sights on the 26.2-mile route to stop other families facing the same heartbreak.

“Running quickly became an instrumental part in coping, even though I was awful at it. Over time, I made it my goal to use my running through grief to give hope to others in honour of my dad,” she shared.

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Nicole commented:

“Everyday, we have a choice to show up for our family, community and society. My dad showed up every single day for all of us. I’m choosing to train and show up everyday, even when I don’t want to, for him, for all those facing cancer, and for everyone experiencing grief.”

Running the London Marathon holds a special meaning for Nicole. She studied to become a vet in the city, often returning to the US for the holidays and staying close to her dad through regular video calls. He was determined to see her graduate, but heartbreakingly never made it to London.

World Cancer Research Fund’s UK Director, Steve Greenberg, added:

“We are in awe of Nicole’s commitment to improving outcomes for others in her father’s memory. Channelling her grief in a way that will offer hope to future generations is so selfless, and every step Nicole takes this April will make our vital work possible. We cannot wait to cheer her on and congratulate her at the finish line.”

You can show Nicole your support by donating or sharing her story at the link below:

Rates of childhood obesity have increased from 4% to 20% over the past 50 years. From a cancer prevention perspective, this is worrying news: childhood obesity often continues into adulthood, and our work shows that excess body weight in adults is linked to at least 13 different types of cancer. What’s more, our research has shown that higher body weight in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer in later life.

To maintain a healthy weight, children need more support to eat a nutritious diet. Policy can help foster systems and structures that make healthy diets easier and, for kids, schools are a great place to start.

The morning bell

My apartment in London overlooks a primary school attended by about 130 students. Waiting for my morning bus to WCRF’s offices, I see parents accompanying their children along the bustling road to the school gates. From a nutrition perspective, this particular route must feel a bit like running the gauntlet: a rotating billboard in view of the bus stop advertises burgers and fries, while every other business sells fast food. UNICEF’s Feeding Profit report, published last year, highlights this as a global problem.

To tackle the food environment around schools, several local authorities in the UK have chosen to restrict the opening of new fast food restaurants around schools. Cities such as Leeds and Manchester have opted to either reduce the number of new outlets near schools or prohibit them entirely.

Elsewhere in the world, governments have chosen to implement school-focused marketing restrictions. Latin American countries are leaders in this space, with countries like Chile and Mexico banning unhealthy foods from being advertised in schools. In 2021, the local congress in Lima, Peru went further, passing a law to prohibit the marketing of unhealthy foods within 200 metres of schools.

Lunchtime

From my own childhood in Canada, memories from the school cafeteria include slices of pizza, chocolate chip cookies and a freezer selling ice cream and popsicles. Although we occasionally managed to bargain for a few dollars for pizza, my parents worried that this menu wasn’t healthy enough. We mostly packed our own, a task added to already busy mornings.

Comparing notes with my partner who grew up in Sweden – where school lunches have been free for all children regardless of income for over 70 years – he remembers a self-service soup and salad bar to go with the daily mains. That didn’t stop students from complaining – tarragon fish day was particularly disliked. In high school, they would occasionally head over to the local pizzeria for lunch when their pocket money stretched to it.

Our memories reflect not only the cross-cutting appeal of pizza but the variation in school meals, even in high-income contexts. Until last year, Canada was still the only G7 country without a school food plan. However, we are not the only ones that have struggled to provide schoolchildren with nutritious lunches. Only 37% of school meal programs have an objective to prevent overweight and obesity, and wealthier countries are more likely to provide unhealthy foods.

Meanwhile, school food superstars like Brazil show us what can be done, successfully establishing legislation for coverage, quality, and procurement practices, emphasising local foods. In Japan, procurement policies also favour local producers, and pair school meals with food and nutrition education.

Recess

Beyond lunchtime, countries are developing innovative approaches to improving the quality of snacks sold on school premises. In Chile, a suite of policy measures aiming to reduce the consumption of foods high in calories, sugar, sodium or saturated fat has included banning their sale in schools. This has led to an impressive reduction in the sale of these unhealthy foods in school kiosks.

In January of this year, the World Health Organization published its new guideline providing evidence-based recommendations to support countries in creating healthy school food environments. This cites evidence from countries like Chile, as well as measures to directly provide children with healthy alternatives, like the European Union’s school scheme to support the distribution of milk, fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, the School Meals Coalition, a global multi-partner initiative, facilitates country commitments to initiate or strengthen school food programmes, and fosters collaborations to support their efforts.

From the morning bell to lunchtime to recess, every part of the school day offers an opportunity to shape healthier futures. World Obesity Day calls on us to advocate for stronger food policy and equitable access to nutritious foods. If we get this right in schools, we don’t just change what children eat today – we help reduce their cancer risk tomorrow.

Scott Molumby will run three marathons over three months in memory of his best friend, Dan Logan-Thomas, who sadly died in December 2025 after living with cancer for eight months.

Scott’s challenge began with double ultra marathon along the Tarka Trail in his home of North Devon – which starts in Ilfracombe and finishes in Dartmoor National Park on 28 February 2026.

Just four weeks later, on 28 March, Scott will run an ultra marathon across the snowcapped mountains of Snowdonia in his Native Wales. The route will begin on the north coast at Conwy and will see him head up and down sixteen of the highest mountains in the range – all of which are over 3,000 feet high.

Finally, Scott’s challenge will conclude with the iconic 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon on 26th April, marking 58 relentless days for World Cancer Research Fund in Dan’s memory.

After meeting at Swansea University, Scott and Dan struck up a close friendship which spanned multiple continents – with the pair living together in Wales, Australia, and New Zealand.

“Dan was such a happy-go-lucky guy.” Scott said. “He made his own luck because he was so positive, right until the very end.”

Over the last five years, Dan lived with multiple brain tumours which were non-cancerous (benign), undergoing multiple surgeries and radiotherapy while continuing to live a full and adventurous life. However, after losing feeling down his left side in April 2025, scans showed a new, large tumour.

Following major surgery, Dan received the devastating news it was cancerous, and began intensive chemotherapy which he faced with the same quiet courage that defined him:

“Dan wasn’t afraid of dying, he was more upset about how it would affect everyone else. That’s just the kind of person he was,” Scott shared.

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, which was once part of the plans they made together, Scott added:

“Dan helped me decide on the runs, and I always assumed he would join me at the finish line to celebrate. Now, I’m determined to complete this challenge in his memory and give it my all. It gives me an opportunity to remember a great friend in my own way with a lot of hard work, determination, and dedication.”

World Cancer Research Fund’s UK Director, Steve Greenberg, commented:

Taking on three marathons in three months shows Scott’s extraordinary strength and courage, and running in memory of his best friend is a reminder of the love and loyalty that shapes the best of us. His determination is raising funds to fuel our research that helps saves lives, continuing Dan’s proud legacy. We are deeply moved and profoundly grateful for Scott’s commitment to cancer prevention research.

For Scott, this challenge is about honouring the way Dan lived. He hopes that Dan’s story will inspire others to grab life with both hands.

“Don’t hang around if there’s something you want to do or something you need to say,” Scott said. Do it while you can, while you have the chance.”

You can show your Scott your support by donating or sharing his story below:

Rachael Hutson, CEO at World Cancer Research Fund, commented:

On social media, he’s the ‘mum’ you should listen to and laugh along with! So, who better to raise awareness of cancer prevention and the importance of research in this area? We’re incredibly pleased that Richard is supporting this challenge. Around four in ten cancers are preventable, and with the help of Richard and everyone who donates, we’re taking important steps to reduce that risk.

You can follow Richard on TikTok at @richardfrankscomedy, and find out how to get involved with the challenge below:

The UK government published its 10-year Health Plan on 3 July, setting out its ambitions to reform the health system and shift the focus from sickness to prevention.

As a cancer prevention charity with a vision of a world where no one dies from a preventable cancer, we welcome the Plan’s direction but there are many key areas of health policy where it simply falls short of what the public needs.

Positive inclusions

Many of the commitments in the Plan had already been announced and were warmly received, such as the expansions of free school meals and the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

Encouragingly, the Plan also includes new mandatory measures that mark a meaningful step towards creating healthier environments for all.

These include:

• Mandatory healthy food sales reporting for all large companies in the food sector.
• Mandatory healthy food standard to improve the healthiness of sales.
• Updates to the nutrient profile model, used to set marketing restrictions on junk food.
•  10% uplift to restore the value of the Healthy Start scheme from 2026–27.
• Mandatory labelling on alcoholic drinks to include consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.
• Place-based approach to physical activity, including £250m for 100 places via Sport England, at least £400m for local community sports facilities, and new school sport partnerships.
• National walking and running campaign led by Sir Brendan Foster.
• Development of a new physical activity strategy.

These measures are welcome steps forward in improving our food and drink environment and enabling people to be more physically active.

We hope the forthcoming National Food Strategy will drive deeper systemic changes to ensure affordable, accessible healthy food for everyone in England.

Critical missed opportunities

On alcohol, the Plan falls short of prioritising the range of evidence-based policies proven to reduce alcohol consumption, which causes around 17,000 UK cancer diagnoses each year.

Notably, it fails to include minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in England, despite the success of MUP in reducing alcohol-related deaths in Scotland and Wales. Worryingly, England continues to lag the devolved nations on this crucial policy.

The Plan also makes no mention of strengthening marketing restrictions on alcohol, and so enables industry to continue to normalise drinking as an aspirational lifestyle choice.

Given the rising number of alcohol-related deaths each year, we are urging the UK government to deliver a National Alcohol Strategy for England. As outlined in our recent letter to the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, during Cancer Prevention Action Week, we continue to call for bold action on alcohol-related cancer.

Equally disappointing is the absence of action to strengthen protections and support for breastfeeding and infant feeding. There are no new mandatory, independently enforced regulations on the composition, marketing and labelling of baby and toddler foods. This is a missed opportunity, particularly in light of the UK government’s stated goal to raise the healthiest generation of children ever.

We will continue to urge the government to adopt the recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority’s market study on infant and follow-on formula.

Turning ambitions into action

This Plan arrives as Labour marks its first year in government under Starmer. This government now has the opportunity – and responsibility – to turn its prevention agenda into lasting structural change that improves the nation’s health.

The upcoming National Cancer Plan for England presents a further chance to address modifiable risk factors and fill the gaps left by the 10-year Health Plan.

We welcome the Prime Minister’s willingness to challenge accusations of “nanny statism” and urge the government to ensure all health strategies are protected from undue industry influence.

We want prevention to be the foundation of all health strategies. We stand ready to bring our scientific and policy expertise to the table – and we’re calling on the UK government to work with us to turn bold ambition into real change, helping millions live longer, cancer-free lives.

In our resource library

• Comments on the 10-year Health Plan for England
• Call for Evidence – National Cancer Plan for England

As part of Cancer Prevention Action Week 2025, on Wednesday we handed in an open letter and petition, alongside breast cancer survivors Dr Liz O’Riordan and Nikki Bednall, and the Alcohol Health Alliance.

The letter (below) – signed by more than 25 organisations and health experts – and the petition called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his government to introduce a National Alcohol Strategy to Prevent Cancer, as part of our Cancer Prevention Action Week (CPAW) activity.

This year, CPAW is highlighting the links between alcohol and cancer – our research shows that most people don’t know that drinking any amount of alcohol increases the risk of 7 types of cancer.

What’s more, around 17,000 new cases every year are down to alcohol – so we’re urging the UK government to introduce a long-overdue National Alcohol Strategy for England – one that tackles alcohol harm head-on through:

• mandatory health warnings highlighting cancer risk
• minimum unit pricing
• marketing restrictions

to reduce consumption, lower cancer risk, and protect lives.

Only 16% of us in the UK feel at ease discussing our relationship with alcohol, ranking it among the least talked about topics – less so than sex (17%) and money (29%), according to our poll.

We’re emphasising the connection between alcohol and cancer as part of Cancer Prevention Action Week, which starts today. We have strong evidence that alcohol increases the risk of 7 cancers:

• Breast
• Bowel
• Head and neck
• Oesophageal
• Liver
• Stomach

Alcoholic drinks are also high in calories and often high in sugar, increasing the risk of gaining weight. Living with overweight or obesity increases the risk of at least 13 types of cancer.

We surveyed 2,000 people to gain insights into Britain’s understanding of alcohol and cancer risks. The findings reveal consistent misconceptions regarding alcohol’s dangers. Alarmingly, 25% of respondents did not associate any health risks with alcohol, and only 1 in 14 mentioned cancers as a risk when asked unprompted.

These misconceptions may hinder our ability to have informed conversations about alcohol. About 4% of cancer cases in the UK are attributed to alcohol, meaning that, each year, around 17,000 people are diagnosed with cancer caused by alcohol. Adding to this immeasurable human cost is the economic burden. Alcohol-related cancers cost the NHS around £100m every year.

We need a National Alcohol Strategy

We support clearer public health messaging to raise awareness of the real dangers of alcohol consumption, as well as other measures such as health warning labels. Alongside many other health organisations in the UK, we’re urging the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to implement a National Alcohol Strategy for England.

Nikki Bednall is a World Cancer Research Fund Supporter and breast cancer survivor. She said: “I always thought drinking a few times a week was fine. I never knew it could raise my cancer risk. If I’d known earlier, I might have made different choices. Though hindsight is easy, my perspective has changed with the knowledge that came after my diagnosis.”

Drinking habits in the UK paint a concerning picture in comparison with other nations. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2021 data showed that alcohol consumption in the UK was 10 litres per capita – 16% more than the OECD average of 8.6 litres.

Covid led to an increase in the number of high-risk drinks, with the heaviest drinkers increasing their consumption the most. These changes have persisted beyond the national lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, and subsequently there has been a year-on-year rise in alcohol-specific deaths, which reached an all-time high of 10,473 in 2023.

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative UK adults. The data was collected between 21.03.2025–24.03.2025.