how to reduce cancer risk
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Presentation for health professionalsTRANSCRIPT
HOW TO REDUCE CANCER RISK A presentation for health professionals by:
World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) 22 Bedford Square London WC1B 3HH Tel: 020 7343 4200 Website: www.wcrf-uk.org
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Contents
o Part 1: About World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) and the evidence on lifestyle and cancer risk (slides 3 – 15)
o Part 2: WCRF UK’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention (slides 16 – 38)
o Part 3: The role of health professionals, current awareness levels and how WCRF UK can help (slides 39 – 48)
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Part 1: WCRF UK and the WCRF global network
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About WCRF UK
o Our vision
World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) helps people make choices that reduce their chances of developing cancer
o Our mission
To fund research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk
To interpret the accumulated scientific literature in the field
To educate people about choices they can make to reduce their chances of developing cancer
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Key achievements
o 1997 First Expert Report
Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective
o 2007 Second Expert Report
Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective
o 2009 Policy Report
Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention
o 2007 onwards - Continuous Update Project
Keeping the evidence current
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o Cancer is a major cause of death, disability and lost life years
o In 2008/9, estimated NHS expenditure on cancer services was over £5 billion
o Cancer is mostly environmentally determined and largely preventable
The burden of cancer
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o About a third of the most common cancers in the UK could be prevented if everyone ate a healthy diet, was physically active, and maintained a healthy weight
o This equates to around 80,000 cases a year
o Enough to fill Wembley Stadium!
A largely preventable disease
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Non-communicable causes of death
UK China
Men
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Age-standardised rates of common cancers
UK China Men
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Migration data
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Food, nutrition, obesity, physical activity, and cellular processes linked to cancer
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The evidence behind WCRF UK’s message
o 2007 Second Expert Report
o Six years to produce
o Involved over 200 scientists
o Independent observers, including the FAO, WHO and UNICEF
o Examined all the available evidence from around the world
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The evidence behind WCRF UK’s message
o Initial sweep found half a million studies
o Screened down to 7,000 that were relevant and robust
o Findings reviewed by an independent Expert Panel of 21 of the world’s top researchers
o Only the strongest evidence was used as the basis for WCRF UK’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
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Keeping the evidence current
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1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight
2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day
3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat)
4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and pulses
5. Limit consumption of red meats and avoid processed meats
Part 2: WCRF UK’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
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6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium)
8. Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer
Special population Recommendations:
9. It is best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to 6 months and then add other liquids and foods
10. After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
And, always remember – do not smoke or chew tobacco 17
Recommendation 1: Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight
o A key way to reduce cancer risk – excess body fat increases risk of bowel, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, endometrium (womb) and breast cancer (in post menopausal women)
o Diet based on plant foods and being physically active
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Recommendation 2: Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day
o Any form of physical activity can help to protect against bowel and breast cancer
o And reduce the risk of becoming overweight
o The more, the better!
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Recommendation 3: Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat).
o Sugary drinks and energy-dense foods are linked to weight gain
o Contain more than about 225-275 kcal per 100g
o Contain more fat and sugar
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Recommendation 4: Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and pulses such as beans.
o Aim for at least 5 A DAY! Vegetables and fruits help to protect against a range of cancers
o Include wholegrains or pulses with every meal
o These foods tend to be less energy dense – help us avoid weight gain
o Contain plenty of water and fibre – fibre can help prevent bowel cancer
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Recommendation 5: Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats
o Red meat and processed meat are both convincingly linked to bowel cancer
o Aim for less than 500g cooked red meat a week – choose smaller, leaner portions
o Avoid processed meat, like bacon and ham, almost always
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Protein alternatives
Portion of red meat
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Recommendation 6: If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day
o Alcohol raises the risk of five common cancers
o Liver, breast, bowel and mouth and oesophagus
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What is one drink?
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A drink is:
o half a pint of normal strength beer, lager or cider o one 25ml measure of spirits such as vodka o one small (125ml) glass of wine
Drinks and Calories
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Recommendation 7: Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium)
o High-salt diets are linked to stomach cancer
o Aim for less than 6g a day – about a level teaspoonful
o Most of the salt in our diet comes from processed foods such as bread, cereals, ready meals and sweet foods such as biscuits!
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Recommendation 8: Don't use supplements to protect against cancer
o The best option is a balanced diet
o High dose supplements of some nutrients can affect the risk of different cancers
o Some people can benefit from taking supplements for other reasons – refer patients to their GP
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Special Population Recommendations
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Recommendation 9: It is best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to 6 months and then add other liquids and food.
o Breastfeeding can protect mothers from breast cancer
o Having been breastfed can protect children from becoming overweight and obese
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Recommendation 10: After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the Recommendations for Cancer Prevention.
o Cancer survivors are people who are living with a diagnosis of cancer
o Growing evidence shows physical activity and other measures that help us maintain a healthy weight may help to prevent cancer recurrence
o Seek advice from an appropriately trained consultant or dietitian
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And, always remember – do not smoke or chew tobacco
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WCRF/AICR’s 2009 Policy Report: o Multinational bodies o Government o Industry o Health professionals
o Schools o Media o Workplaces o Civil society organisations o Individuals
Part 3: What can health professionals do?
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Health professionals are a trusted source of health information.
You:
o Can give advice on wellbeing and prevention, not just diagnosis and management of disease
o Meet people when they are open to and in need of health promotion messages
o Take the lead in promoting health to colleagues, other professionals and other actor groups
o Be effective in delivering successful behaviour change initiatives
The role of health professionals
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YouGov Survey Results August 2011 (2029 subjects – general public)
“Which, if any, of the following do you think increases your risk of getting cancer?”
o 86% of people identified smoking
o Only 60% identified a poor diet or being overweight
o Only 50% of respondents identified physical inactivity as a cancer risk factor
o Only 57% identified drinking alcohol
Awareness of risk factors
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Even fewer – only 39% of respondents – correctly identified processed meat as a cancer risk factor
But:
o 9% of respondents identified coffee; and
o 20% identified sweeteners
even though the evidence does not suggest that either of these affects cancer risk
Awareness of risk factors
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How WCRF UK can help: our resources for the general public
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How WCRF UK can help: our resources for health professionals
www.wcrf-uk.org/health-professionals
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How WCRF UK can help: health professionals web section
o The latest information
o The latest articles
o Details of upcoming conferences
o Statistics on cancer rates, diet, lifestyle and weight
o Downloadable resources including meal planners, food diaries and factsheets
o Online tools including a BMI and energy density calculator
o Useful links
o www.wcrf-uk.org/health-professionals
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How WCRF UK can help: monthly eNews
o Free monthly eNews for health professionals
o The latest news on cancer prevention
o Hear about new resources, workshops and grants first
o www.wcrf-uk.org/eNews
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The Great Grub Club
www.greatgrubclub.com
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Thank you for listening to this presentation
o To give WCRF UK feedback on this presentation, their health professionals’ web section, their monthly eNews or any of the WCRF UK resources, email [email protected]
48 Review date: December 2013