People unaware of diet link to cancer

United Kingdom, February 17: A latest survey has revealed the poor awareness in people regarding the link between poor diet and increased risk of cancerdefine. Only four out of 10 people are aware that certain kinds of foods can increase the cancer risk.

The poll, which was commissioned by the World Cancerdefine Research Fund (WCRF), showed that out of around 2000 people, only 41 percent know that cancer and diet have a connection with each other.

Only one in three people was aware that consuming processed meat could increase their cancer risk. Also, 44 percent of the respondents were unaware that being overweight could be a contributing factor.

However, 42 percent were aware that lack of exercise or physical activity can also increase the probability of having cancer.

Previous research has shown that sustaining a proper and healthy weight is the key to cancer prevention. It is the next best step after quitting smoking.

Surplus body fat is associated with six different kinds of cancers and this includes bowel cancer and postmenopausal breast cancer. Scientists suggest that people must reduce their consumption of salt, alcohol and high-calorie food items.

Lisa Cooney, head of education for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), was quoted as saying, “The scientific evidence is clear that people can reduce their risk of cancer through eating healthily and reducing their intake of things like alcohol and processed meat.”

Cooney further added, “But these results show that there are still millions of people in Britain who are unaware of how they can take simple steps to reduce their cancer risk. This means they are not in a position to make informed lifestyle choices.”

However, there is also a silver lining, as the poll showed that the general public has become more knowledgeable about the relationship between food and cancer than it was before. The number of aware people has increased since 2007 when a similar survey was conducted.

“The UK is leading the world when it comes to facing up to the problem and tackling obesity. We are aiming to change the way we all live our lives through Change4Life. This movement will help us all to change the way we eat, the way we exercise and the way we raise our children so we can prevent obesity and related diseases,” said a spokeswoman for the Department of Health.