Breakout session 1: Preventing cancer

Speakers

•  

   

  Tim Key
  Chris Packham, Director of Public Health, Nottingham PCT
• Professor Tim Key, Deputy Director, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford

Presentations

Download Chris Packham's presentation [Powerpoint, 608kb]|
Download Tim Key's presentation [Powerpoint, 365kb]| 

Issues raised

• Diet can play an important role in preventing cancer. However, although we know that the harm of tobacco can be cut out completely, we do not yet know exactly what improvements can be made to the diet to reduce the risk of cancer.
• Several questions were asked about the impact on cancer risk of specific food types. The effect on cancer risk of the consumption of dairy products is currently being investigated, although there is some evidence that men with a high dairy intake may have an increased risk of prostate cancer. Consumption of white meat seems to show no increased risk, however red and processed meat do seem to show a link.
• There are links between obesity and an increased risk of cancer of the oesophagus, bowel, kidney, breast and uterus.
• A 'healthy' diet appears to be one that includes adequate fibre, cereals, and fruit and vegetables, and not too much meat.
• Awareness needs to be raised on the prevention of cancer. There needs to be improved targeting of messages. For example, we should increase the use of MOSAIC maps which show where 'at-risk' populations live and target messages to the communities.

Breakout session two: Diagnosing cancer earlier >