Martin Docherty-Hughes MP attended a Cancer Research UK event in Westminster to learn more about how lifestyle changes can reduce people’s risk of getting cancer.
The MP met with campaigners and nurses from the charity’s Cancer Awareness Roadshow, to find out more about their work on cancer prevention.
More than four in ten cancer cases in the UK could be prevented each year*, with smoking and obesity being the biggest avoidable causes of the disease.
But while the dangers of smoking are well known, many are unaware of the link between obesity and cancer.
This is particularly concerning when 65% of people in Scotland are currently overweight or obese**.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“We’ve come such a long way in the fight against cancer and it’s shocking to hear that so many cases in West Dunbartonshire, and across Scotland, could be easily prevented.
“The numbers make it clear we need to act now to help people to make positive lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active and maintaining a healthy weight.
“While there are no guarantees against the disease, my constituents and their families can stack the odds in their favour and lead long and healthy lives.”
The Westminster event coincided with the launch of Cancer Research UK’s new ‘Junk Free TV’ campaign, which aims to help address children’s obesity.
It calls for the removal of junk food adverts on TV before the 9pm watershed, to help reduce the impact of this negative influence over children’s food choices.
Alison Cox, Director of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Research UK, said:
“It’s great to have Martin’s support with raising awareness of how people can reduce their risk of cancer.
“There are a lot of things working against us when it comes to making healthier choices. We’re all bombarded by advertising of junk foods packed with extra calories and this leads kids to pester their parents to buy unhealthy food for them.
“That’s why we’re calling on Government to introduce a number of measures to protect the health of the nation’s children, including removing junk food advertising on TV before the 9pm watershed.
“Obese children are more likely to be obese as adults, so it’s vital that young people are encouraged to eat healthily and keep active and that healthy choices are easy to make.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
For more information about the Junk Free TV campaign, visit cruk.org/junkfreetv
*Calculated by the Cancer Research UK Statistical Information Team, by applying the population attributable fractions to cancer cases (ICD-10 C00-C97 excl. C44) in the UK in 2011 using Parkin DM, Boyd L, Darby SC, Mesher D, Sasieni P, Walker LC. The Fraction of Cancer Attributable to Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in the UK in 2010. Br J Cancer 2011; 105, (S2):Si-S81
** Source: Cancer Research UK http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-rofessional/cancer-statistics/risk/overweight-and-obesity#heading-One
Data available from The Scottish Government. The Scottish Health Survey 2014. Accessed June 2016.
About Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
• Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last forty years.
• Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
