The cancer prevention and survival research organization World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International recently launched the Global Cancer Update Programme, a new and updated version of the organization’s flagship research program, which was previously known as the Continuous Update Project. This program comprises the largest global cancer prevention and survivorship database in the world.
The Global Cancer Update Programme database contains more than 12,000 papers on cancer prevention and survival. These papers have been synthesized and critiqued by more than 140 scientists from 17 different countries. The program analyzes the findings from all existing research, including the most recent research papers. Previous work in this area helped to underpin the development of the groundbreaking Third Expert Report, which assessed the evidence across 17 cancer types and included updates to WCRF International’s Cancer Prevention Recommendations.
Focus for the Future
The key areas of focus for the future will be cancer incidence, cancer survivorship, cancer mechanisms, and obesity. For the first time ever, WCRF International will also be looking at the impact of food, nutrition, body weight, and physical activity on children with cancer, from diagnosis through to adult life.
The Global Cancer Update Programme will be expanding into other new areas, including the impact of different dietary and lifestyle patterns, as well as the impact of factors in early life on future cancer risk. WCRF International will also be undertaking a new series of reviews on cancer survivorship, primarily focusing upon breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, as well as childhood cancers.
The findings from all the research undertaken within the program will be judged by a panel of independent global experts. They will assess the evidence, draw conclusions, and make suggestions after each systematic review. This will allow WCRF International to make recommendations for survivors of breast, colorectal, prostate, and childhood cancers within the next 5 years.
Helen Croker, PhD
Helen Croker, PhD, Head of Research Interpretation at WCRF International, commented: “One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, yet we know that around 40% of cancers could be prevented through maintaining a healthy diet, physical activity, and body weight, along with not smoking and avoiding sun exposure. We are looking forward to further deepening our knowledge and understanding about cancer prevention and survival with the launch of the Global Cancer Update Programme and ultimately helping to reduce the number of people developing cancer or surviving from it.”
