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| Britons 'wary over cancer advice' | Britons 'wary over cancer advice' |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| The UK public is deeply sceptical about scientific claims for what causes or prevents cancer, a poll suggests. | The UK public is deeply sceptical about scientific claims for what causes or prevents cancer, a poll suggests. |
| The YouGov survey of 2,400 people for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found more than half thought scientists were always changing their minds. | The YouGov survey of 2,400 people for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found more than half thought scientists were always changing their minds. |
| More than a quarter said health advice changed constantly and the best approach was to ignore it completely. | More than a quarter said health advice changed constantly and the best approach was to ignore it completely. |
| But the WCRF said its advice, including eating more fruit and vegetables, had stayed the same for more than a decade. | But the WCRF said its advice, including eating more fruit and vegetables, had stayed the same for more than a decade. |
| The idea that the advice from scientists changes with the wind is just not right Richard EvansWorld Cancer Research Fund | The idea that the advice from scientists changes with the wind is just not right Richard EvansWorld Cancer Research Fund |
| The WCRF says that most scientists agree about the steps people can take to reduce their risk of cancer - and that this advice has largely stayed the same for the last 10 years. | The WCRF says that most scientists agree about the steps people can take to reduce their risk of cancer - and that this advice has largely stayed the same for the last 10 years. |
| It is thought that about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented through eating a healthy, balanced diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. | It is thought that about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented through eating a healthy, balanced diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. |
| Healthy lifestyle | Healthy lifestyle |
| In terms of diet, scientists agree that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and limiting intake of red and processed meat, salt and alcohol can reduce cancer risk. | In terms of diet, scientists agree that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and limiting intake of red and processed meat, salt and alcohol can reduce cancer risk. |
| Richard Evans, head of communications for WCRF, said: "It is a cause for concern if people are not listening to cancer prevention advice because they have the impression that scientists are always changing their minds. | Richard Evans, head of communications for WCRF, said: "It is a cause for concern if people are not listening to cancer prevention advice because they have the impression that scientists are always changing their minds. |
| "The fact is that WCRF and other cancer charities agree on the best ways of reducing cancer risk and this advice has stayed broadly the same for quite a long time. | "The fact is that WCRF and other cancer charities agree on the best ways of reducing cancer risk and this advice has stayed broadly the same for quite a long time. |
| "A decade ago, we were recommending that people eat a plant-based diet, be physically active and maintain a healthy weight and this is still the case today." | "A decade ago, we were recommending that people eat a plant-based diet, be physically active and maintain a healthy weight and this is still the case today." |
| Mr Evans admitted there had been some changes to advice in recent years - but these were not abrupt about turns. | Mr Evans admitted there had been some changes to advice in recent years - but these were not abrupt about turns. |
| For instance, the evidence linking body fat with cancer has become much stronger over the last 10 years. | For instance, the evidence linking body fat with cancer has become much stronger over the last 10 years. |
| This has led to scientists to giving a greater emphasis to the importance of maintaining of a healthy weight, making it the second most important thing one can do to ward off cancer, after refraining from smoking. | This has led to scientists to giving a greater emphasis to the importance of maintaining of a healthy weight, making it the second most important thing one can do to ward off cancer, after refraining from smoking. |
| Single studies | Single studies |
| However, Mr Evans said: "The idea that the advice from scientists changes with the wind is just not right. | However, Mr Evans said: "The idea that the advice from scientists changes with the wind is just not right. |
| "The problem is that when people hear about a single study suggesting a particular food might be good for us, it is easy to assume scientists are now telling us to start eating it. | "The problem is that when people hear about a single study suggesting a particular food might be good for us, it is easy to assume scientists are now telling us to start eating it. |
| FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | |
| "With the large number of new studies being published, it is perhaps not surprising that people get the impression cancer prevention advice is always changing. | "With the large number of new studies being published, it is perhaps not surprising that people get the impression cancer prevention advice is always changing. |
| "But these single studies are usually only a single piece in a jigsaw and on their own are not strong enough evidence to make conclusions. | "But these single studies are usually only a single piece in a jigsaw and on their own are not strong enough evidence to make conclusions. |
| "Often, they will be useful in giving us a lead that is worth following up with more research but should not be used to form the basis of advice." | "Often, they will be useful in giving us a lead that is worth following up with more research but should not be used to form the basis of advice." |
| The survey also suggested older people were most cynical about cancer prevention advice. | The survey also suggested older people were most cynical about cancer prevention advice. |
| Jessica Harris, of the charity Cancer Research UK, said: "It's worrying if so many people think that scientists are constantly changing their minds about how to prevent cancer. | Jessica Harris, of the charity Cancer Research UK, said: "It's worrying if so many people think that scientists are constantly changing their minds about how to prevent cancer. |
| "Experts across the world agree that the best ways to reduce your risk of cancer are not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol, eating a healthy, balanced diet, being physically active and staying safe in the sun. | "Experts across the world agree that the best ways to reduce your risk of cancer are not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol, eating a healthy, balanced diet, being physically active and staying safe in the sun. |
| "These messages have not changed in recent years and are backed up by convincing evidence built up through decades of research." | "These messages have not changed in recent years and are backed up by convincing evidence built up through decades of research." |