9 January 2007

First study of its kind gets underway in Dundee

The first ever study looking at how diet and lifestyle affects cancer survivors gets underway at the University of Dundee, thanks to a £48,775 grant by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

Cancer survivorship is an emerging area of scientific research. Understanding how diet and lifestyle may affect the risk of cancer recurrence is of vital importance. The researchers, Professor Robert Steele, Professor Annie Anderson and Mary Wells at the University of Dundee will carry out a feasibility study for a future intervention programme for the secondary prevention of bowel cancer.

Previous research has shown a link between the primary development of bowel cancer and diet and lifestyle factors. Being overweight and inactive, for example, can increase its risk.

The three-month lifestyle intervention programme, also known as LiveWell, will be piloted in Tayside. The patients are all aged over 50, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or over and are most at risk of cancer recurrence. Those taking part will be provided with practical information to help them make healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

"We are using a combination of information, behaviour change skills and social support approaches to see if we can encourage positive lifestyle changes that may improve survival and decrease recurrence of bowel cancer," explains Professor Anderson.

The researchers hope those involved will achieve a healthy balanced diet, weight loss of five per cent and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. They will also need to make sure the advice given is practical for cancer survivors (e.g. advice should take into account of any limitations on physical activity).

The team will be taking weight measurements at the beginning and end of the intervention. In-depth interviews will be undertaken to provide a clear understanding of the challenges faced by survivors, when attempting to make behavioural changes. Levels of vitamin C will also be monitored and compared to food diaries to measure fruit and vegetable consumption.

Professor Steele says: "There is some encouraging evidence to suggest that exercise might improve survival rates in those who have had bowel cancer. Physical activity is also vital for managing weight so we will also be measuring this."

Professor Anderson continues: "Our results will be available later in 2007. If the LiveWell intervention is proves to be successful, it could be used to develop clear diet and lifestyle advice for bowel cancer survivors in the future."

Lucie Galice, Head of WCRF UK, says: "As the principal UK charity devoted the prevention of cancer, WCRF is very pleased to support this research. The study is central to our mission and provides us with the opportunity to further our knowledge on the link between diet and cancer. We believe it will deliver key findings that could be applied to reducing the risk of cancer recurring."

For more information or to interview Professor Annie Anderson and/or Professor Steele, please contact Roddy Isles, Head of Press University of Dundee, on 013 8238 4910 or e-mail r.isles@dundee.ac.uk or contact Ilse Van Steen, Press & PR Manager WCRF UK, on 020 7343 4228 or e-mail i.vansteen@wcrf.org

Notes to editors

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK)
World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) is a registered charity, number 1000739. Our mission is to raise awareness that the risk of cancer is reduced by healthy food and nutrition, physical activity and weight management, and to develop and strengthen scientific knowledge of the relation of these factors to cancer prevention.

The evidence for this was provided by our first expert report ‘Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective’, published in 1997. This was a review of the thousands of leading international research studies that relate to food, nutrition and cancer prevention and produced a clear set of guidelines for members of the public to follow. A second report, the WCRF/AICR* ‘Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective’, will be published in November 2007 and will be the most authoritative of its kind.

Few people realise that 30 to 40 per cent of cancers, including many cases of bowel, breast and stomach cancer could be prevented if only we thought more about the food that we eat and included a little more exercise into our daily routines.

WCRF UK is part of the WCRF global network and is a member of WCRF International which has affiliates in the United States (*American Institute for Cancer Research) the Netherlands, Hong Kong and France.

BMI
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is one method used to determine whether you are at a healthy weight or not. It is calculated using your height and weight. A BMI under 19.9 indicates underweight, a BMI between 20 and 24.9 indicates a healthy weight, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates overweight and anything over 30 indicates very overweight or obese.

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk