23 Sep 2015

Healthier lifestyles could cut UK cancer rates

Healthier lifestyles could cut UK cancer rates news article image

According to health experts, exercising more, losing weight and drinking less could decrease the number of Britons getting cancer by 84,000 a year.

New figures from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have shown that making small changes towards healthier lifestyles could help prevent around a third of cancer cases in the UK.

More than 350,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with cancer in 2013 – the highest annual number of cases ever recorded – and the figure is expected to increase so long as levels of obesity and inactivity are also rising.

“The number of cases of cancer is increasing each year, but we mustn’t stand by idly and watch – there are things we can do,” said Rachel Thompson, WCRF’s head of research interpretation.

“There is no doubt that simple changes to diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference in the battle against cancer. Even minor adjustments, like 10 to 15 extra minutes of physical activity each day, cutting down on alcohol, or limiting your intake of high calorie foods and sugary drinks, will help decrease your cancer risk.”

Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “The harsh reality is that we are currently behind on cancer survival rates in comparison to our European counterparts, and a major factor is that cancer prevention is not in the public consciousness.

Latest News

25 Mar 2025

Open letter to Government on the impact of Pathways to Work on disabled people and activity levels across the UK

The Sport and Recreation Alliance and the physical activity sector have published an open letter to the Government on the impact of Pathways to Work on disabled people and activity levels across the UK.

Read more Arrow Right
21 Mar 2025

EDI and Governance Member Update - March 2025

Here, we seek to update you on some of the key workstreams we’re focused on, as well as provide an overview of the ways in which you, our members, can foster more inclusive, equitable, and diverse environments for your organisations, including advertising some of the training options we provide (at discount!) and job postings too.

Read more Arrow Right
14 Mar 2025

Regulation, Policies & Costs affecting Sport and Recreation

Here is an end-of-week wrap on some key workstreams we’re undertaking for you, our members, that we want to bring to your attention. It covers a number of important pieces of information for consideration or action.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoGateley Legal logohelp me Angela logoHowden logoMarsh Sport logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo