World Cancer Research Fund

About World Cancer Research Fund

We’re a leading cancer prevention charity. We fund global research into the links between diet, weight, physical activity and cancer. Our work empowers people to take action to lead healthier, happier, cancer-free lives.

Since 1990, World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has invested more than £100m in cancer prevention and survival research. And it’s all thanks to our amazing supporters!

Around 40% of cancers in the UK could be prevented – that’s nearly 147,000 cases every year. Eating a healthy diet, being more active each day and maintaining a healthy weight are, after not smoking, the most important ways you can reduce your cancer risk.

The cornerstone of our research programme is the Global Cancer Update Programme. It’s the world’s largest source of scientific research on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity.

We translate the results of our research into accurate, accessible, easy-to-understand information.
By funding research and delivering health information programmes – such as Eat well during cancer for cancer survivors, and Eat Move Learn for children and families – we empower people to make healthier lifestyle choices.

When World Cancer Research Fund was first established, scientific research into the link between diet and cancer was in its infancy. Since then the WCRF network has funded millions in cancer prevention research and awareness raising programmes.

Now all mainstream scientists accept that diet, weight and physical activity can affect our risk of cancer and people are more aware of how their lifestyle plays a role.

In 1997, the WCRF network published a landmark Expert Report that confirmed lifestyle choices have a huge impact on cancer risk. Over the following 10 years we carried out more research and published our Second Expert Report in 2007. Building on these achievements, our panel of scientists has now analysed studies comprising 51 million people, of whom 3.5 million were diagnosed with cancer, and launched the findings in our Third Expert Report, Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective.

The report’s findings are summarised in our authoritative 10 Cancer Prevention Recommendations. Over 20 independent studies show that the more closely you follow our Recommendations, the lower your risk of developing cancer.

We work to influence policymakers around the world to develop and implement effective policies to create environments that are conducive for people and communities to follow our Cancer Prevention Recommendations. We advocate the use of our NOURISHING framework that outlines a package of policies to promote healthy diets and reduce overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, including cancer. The framework is accompanied by a policy database that holds examples of implemented government policy actions from around the world.

To accompany the Third Expert Report we published a policy brief, Driving action to prevent cancer and other non-communicable diseases. The brief builds on the policy implications of the Third Expert Report and outlines how the new policy framework can help governments take a comprehensive approach to promoting healthy diets, physical activity, breastfeeding and reducing alcohol consumption.

We are committed to funding and interpreting cancer prevention research so that we can deliver practical guidance to the public, health workers and key organisations throughout the world.

We are also focused on our ongoing Global Cancer Update Programme, which consistently analyses the latest research so that we can deliver trustworthy cancer prevention advice based on the most up-to-date evidence to help people live cancer-free lives.