2.27 The evidence linking obesity to cancer has become much stronger since the publication of the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000.13Being obese increases the risk of many cancers, especially cancers of the uterus, kidney, colon, gallbladder and oesophagus. It is also linked to breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
2.28 For non-smokers, obesity is now the most important preventable risk factor for cancer. Action to prevent obesity is therefore essential to the Cancer Reform Strategy’s aim to prevent more cancers.
2.29 In October 2007, the government’s Foresight research programme published its report on obesity and its modelling suggests that 60% of men, 50% of women and about 25% of all children under 16 could be obese by 2050. The report argues that, although personal responsibility plays a crucial part in weight gain, human biology is being overwhelmed by the effects of today’s ‘obesogenic’ environment, with its abundance of energy-dense food, motorised transport and sedentary lifestyles.
The Foresight report recommends whole societal change with cross governmental action and that a long term commitment is required to tackle the obesity epidemic.14
2.30 Also in October 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund published a report, ‘Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective’.15This provides a comprehensive scientific review of the evidence and presents a set of policy and personal recommendations for the prevention of cancer. Box 5 below gives a summary of the report’s recommendations.
2.31 A further recent study has quantified the number of cases of cancer in women caused by obesity and overweight.16The Million Women Study, funded by Cancer Research UK, is the biggest study ever undertaken to look at women and cancer risk. Over one million UK women were studied during seven years. The study has found that among middle aged and older women in the UK, around five percent of all cancers, or 6,000 cancers each year, are caused by being overweight or obese. Two thirds of the additional 6,000 cancers each year due to overweight or obesity are cancers of the womb or breast.
2.32 The government has launched a number of programmes, many of which are
demonstrating some success:
● Tough new nutritional standards in schools are now in place;
● 86% of school children now do at least two hours of quality school sport a week, beating the government target of 85% by 2008; ● We have worked with the Food Standards
Agency to introduce a traffic light system for front-of-pack labelling on foods, making it simpler for consumers to make healthier food choices;
● We have, with the communications industry regulator OFCOM, placed restrictions on food and drink advertising to children; and
● The Department for Communities and Local Government has a range of programmes that support tackling obesity by aiming to create safe, clean environments which encourage activity and many local neighbourhood renewal projects are focusing on improving access to healthy food.
2.33 The government has committed to developing a cross-government strategy to tackle obesity. In October 2007 as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review a new cross-departmental child health Public Service Agreement was set out. The target is to reduce the rate of increase in obesity in children under eleven years old, in the context of a long-term ambition to reduce, by 2020, the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels.
Alcohol
2.34 Excessive alcohol consumption is strongly linked to an increased risk of several cancers, including mouth, larynx, oesophagus, liver and breast. Combining excessive alcohol
consumption with smoking further increases cancer risk.
2.35 ‘Safe, Sensible, Social – Next Steps in the National Alcohol Strategy’, launched on 5 June 2007, aims to reduce the types of harm that are of most concern to the public (crime and ill- health) and increase the public’s awareness of the risks associated with excessive consumption and how to get help. Overall, it aims to: ● Increase the number of people drinking
within sensible drinking guidelines;
● Reduce the number of men who are drinking more than 50 units a week and the number of women who are drinking more than 35 units or more than twice the sensible daily drinking guidelines on a regular basis; ● Reduce the number of under-18s who drink
and the amount of alcohol they consume; and
● Shape an environment that actively promotes sensible drinking.
Box 5: Recommendations for cancer prevention from the World Cancer Research Fund report ‘Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective’
● Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight; ● Be physically active as part of everyday life;
● Limit consumption of energy-dense foods; ● Avoid sugary drinks;
● Eat mostly foods of plant origin;
● Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat; ● Limit alcoholic drinks;
● Limit consumption of salt;
● Avoid mouldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes);
● Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone rather than through supplements; ● Breastfeed children; and
2.36 A programme of activity is planned for next year and beyond to achieve this. It will include:
● A sustained national communications campaign will aim to raise the public’s knowledge of units of alcohol and ensure everyone has the information they need to estimate how much they drink;
● Targeted information and advice for people who drink at harmful levels and their families and friends; and
● Consultation on the need for legislation regarding alcohol labelling.