World Cancer Research Fund

World Cancer Research Fund is a UK charity that examines how diet, weight and physical activity affect your risk of developing and surviving cancer. On this page > Our work > Our values > Our Expert Reports > Our policy work > Raising awareness > How we operate As part of an international network of charities, we’ve been funding life-saving research, influencing global public health policy and informing the public since 1982. While society continues to search for a cure, our prevention and survival work helps people to live longer, happier and healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer. Since 1990, World Cancer Research Fund has invested more than £110m in cancer prevention and survival research. And it’s all thanks to our amazing supporters! Around 40% of cancers in the UK could be prevented – that’s nearly 155,000 cases every year. Eating a healthy diet, being more active each day and maintaining a healthy weight are, after not smoking, the most important ways you can reduce your cancer risk. Our work A cornerstone of our research is the Global Cancer Update Programme. It’s the world’s largest source of scientific research on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity. In autumn 2022, we published our review of evidence on how a woman’s risk of dying after a breast cancer diagnosis is affected by her weight, diet and physical activity. We translate the results of our research into accurate, accessible, easy-to-understand information. By funding research and delivering health information programmes – such as Living with cancer, for cancer survivors, and Eat Move Learn for children and families – we empower people to make healthier lifestyle choices. When World Cancer Research Fund was established, scientific research into the links between diet and cancer was in its infancy. Since then, our network has funded millions in cancer prevention research and awareness-raising programmes. Now all mainstream scientists accept that diet, weight and physical activity can affect our risk of cancer and people are more aware of how their lifestyle plays a role.