Dr Ashok Kumar MP hosted a parliamentary briefing this week on behalf of the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) to mark Cancer Prevention Week.
The event focused upon the important link between healthy lifestyles and cancer prevention, drawing attention to the growing obesity epidemic and the implications this has for cancer in the UK.
Dr Kumar said: “Everyone needs to understand the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise.”
Dr Susan Jebb, head of nutrition and health research at the MRC Human Nutrition Research Centre, said that obesity, after tobacco is the single most avoidable cause of cancer. She said: “We have a range of initiatives coming on stream and we need a concerted national strategy combining diet and physical activity.”
With rising levels of child obesity, health minister Melanie Johnson said it was essential to get young children eating fruit and vegetables. She said: “The National School Fruit Scheme will be benefiting two million children by the end of the year. Smaller tomatoes and carrots will soon be added to the scheme.”
No comments yet