WCRF calls for reductions in salt, fat and sugar in food to combat rising cancer rates
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have announced that the number of people being diagnosed with cancer in the UK is expected to rise 30% by 2030, but a third of new cases could be prevented through changes in diet and lifestyle. The figures were released to mark World Cancer Day and call on governments to “do more to tackle the risk factors common to cancer and other NCDs such as heart disease and diabetes.”
By 2030, as many as 400 000 new cancer cases could be diagnosed each year, putting a strain on the NHS. The increase is partly due to an aging population but diet and lifestyle are key factors. Dr Kate Allen, Science and Communications Director at WCRF International, said “Measures to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content of food and drinks and to improve the opportunities for physical activity are the type of developments we need to cut these predictions of future cancer cases.”
They propose a target salt intake of 5g a day, and for total fat intake to make up 15-30% of people's energy intake by 2025.
Click here to read the press release from the WCRF http://www.wcrf-uk.org/audience/media/press_release.php?recid=175
Click here for the article in the Guardian http://m.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/04/cancer-fat-salt-sugar-food?cat=science&type=article
