The World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI) is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to funding research on cancer prevention. The charity works in partnership with other networks of cancer prevention charities to support cancer risk reduction through diet, weight, and physical activity.
According to Dr Panagiota Mitrou, Executive Director of Research and Policy at WCRFI, the latest research highlights the critical role of these lifestyle factors in preventing and treating cancer. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with cases expected to increase from 20 million in 2022 to 35 million annually by 2050.
However, around 40% of cancer cases are preventable through modifiable risk factors such as not smoking, safe sun practices, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular physical activity. WCRFI’s Global Cancer Update Programme has synthesised decades of research on diet, weight, and physical activity to develop Cancer Prevention Recommendations.
These recommendations promote a comprehensive package of behaviours that support a healthy pattern of diet and physical activity conducive to cancer prevention and other non-communicable diseases. Adherence to these guidelines is associated with lower risk of developing cancer and other NCDs, as well as improved treatment outcomes for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Despite the compelling evidence, progress on cancer prevention policies remains slow due to barriers such as lack of funding, limited public awareness, and resistance from powerful industries. WCRFI’s Policy Blueprint for Cancer Prevention aims to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers to support healthy environments and reduce cancer risks worldwide.
The blueprint integrates existing nutrition and physical activity policy frameworks with evidence-based recommendations from global health leaders. It includes ten policy factsheets that provide guidance on rolling out effective policies, such as restricting harmful marketing or creating healthier built urban environments.
WCRFI hopes that the Policy Blueprint will create greater awareness of how different policy areas contribute to cancer prevention and empower advocacy communities to bring cancer prevention to the forefront of their efforts. By bridging scientific recommendations and policy, WCRFI aims to reduce the cancer burden and promote a sustainable future for individuals, health systems, and societies.
In addition to its Policy Blueprint, WCRFI also runs research grants and programs to support innovative and original research on diet, nutrition, body composition, and physical activity in cancer prevention and survivorship. The charity’s Research Challenge aims to prioritize bold and creative proposals with the potential to catalyse rapid and impactful advances in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.
Ultimately, WCRFI believes that prevention is the only sustainable way forward in addressing the rising cancer burden. By working together with national governments, global communities, and stakeholders, we can reduce the cancer burden and promote a healthier future for all.
Source: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/cancer-prevention-bold-policy-needed-to-reduce-cancer-burden/189993