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October 13, 2022 | 6 minute read

International Cancer Organization Launches New Flagship Research Program

 The Global Cancer Update Program identifies critical gaps in cancer science as well as advancing new knowledge 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Leading cancer prevention and survival research organisation, World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF International) has today launched the Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) – ahead of the World Cancer Congress on 18-20 October. The Global Cancer Update Program is a new updated and refocused future of our flagship research program – previously known as the Continuous Update Project – which includes the largest global cancer prevention and survivorship database in the world.

The Global Cancer Update Program database contains over 12,000 papers on cancer prevention and survival, these have been synthesized and critiqued by over 140 scientists from 17 different countries. The CUP Global program analyses the findings from all the existing research, including the most recent research papers, to assess the strength of the evidence, reach consensus conclusions and, where possible, make recommendations. Previous work in this area helped to underpin the development of the ground-breaking Third Expert Report, which assessed the evidence across 17 cancer types and included updates to WCRF International’s Cancer Prevention Recommendations[1].

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 Program will be expanding into other new areas, including the impact of diverse dietary and lifestyle patterns and the impact of factors in early life on future cancer risk. WCRF International will also be undertaking a brand-new series of reviews on cancer survivorship that will primarily focus upon breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer, as well as childhood cancers. Determining the impact that diet, nutrition, physical activity and body weight have on children with cancer (from diagnosis into adult life) has also been identified by the Global Cancer Update Program Panel as a particular area of importance.

The findings from all of the research undertaken within the Global Cancer Update Program will be judged by a Panel of independent global experts. They will judge the evidence, draw conclusions and make recommendations after each systematic review. This will allow WCRF International to make recommendations for breast, colorectal, prostate, and childhood cancer survivors within the next five years.

The processes that have been established within the Global Cancer Update Program offer a unique and efficient approach to synthesizing evidence and establishing evidence-based recommendations. Through refocusing its efforts, WCRF International is aiming to advance new knowledge and address critical gaps in cancer research.

Dr Nigel Brockton, Vice President of Research, American Institute for Cancer Research, said: “The Global Cancer Update Program (CUP Global) is focused on the highest priority research questions that AICR/WCRF are uniquely equipped to address. CUP Global harnesses global expertise to build on our strengths in evidence synthesis, to distinguish evidence from opinion in critical aspects of lifestyle, so that we can recommend optimal approaches to reduce cancer risk and improve survivorship.”

Professor Lord John Krebs, Chair of the Global Cancer Update Programme, said: “The Global Cancer Update Program is a one-of-a-kind research program in its field. The new developments in its aims and focus areas will allow WCRF International to build on its extensive and existing cancer knowledge, equipping the scientific community to achieve an even greater ability to prevent, treat and manage cancer.”

Marilyn Gentry, President at WCRF International Network, said: “First and foremost, cancer prevention is the basis of what we do at WCRF International – but our increasing priority is also to see cancer survival rates improve. We’re extremely proud to be the first organization to have focused on the link between cancer, diet and nutrition. Now we can strive further with our Global Cancer Update Program and deepen our understanding of cancer prevention and survival.”

Dr Helen Croker, Head of Research Interpretation at WCRF International, said: “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 Program, and ultimately helping to reduce the number of people developing cancer or surviving from it.”

—Ends—

 

Notes to Editors

About the American Institute for Cancer Research

Our vision: We want to live in a world where no one develops a preventable cancer.

Our mission: The American Institute for Cancer Research champions the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity so that we can help people make informed lifestyle choices to reduce their cancer risk.

About World Cancer Research Fund International

World Cancer Research Fund International examines how diet, nutrition, body weight and physical activity affect your risk of developing and surviving cancer. As part of an international network of charities, we have been funding life-saving research, influencing global public health policy, and educating the public since 1982. While society continues searching for a cure, our prevention and survival work is helping people live longer, happier, healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer. www.wcrf.org and TwitterFacebookYouTube & LinkedIn.

World Cancer Research Fund International’s Global Cancer Update Programme provides an analysis of international scientific research into how diet, nutrition, physical activity and weight affect cancer risk and survival. The programme is produced in partnership with American Institute for Cancer Research, World Cancer Research Fund in the UK and Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds in the Netherlands. As part of its development, the Global Cancer Update Programme has built the largest cancer prevention database in the world, housed at Imperial College in London. It is the only authoritative scientific resource of its kind, is evaluated by an independent panel of leading cancer experts, and to date contains approximately 12,000 papers on cancer prevention and survival. A copy of the Global Cancer Update Programme strategy is available via the Press Office.

 

Preventing Cancer. Saving Lives.  

 


[1] WCRF International’s Cancer Prevention Recommendations are the conclusion of an independent panel of experts and represent a package of healthy lifestyle choices that help to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. These include eating healthily, being active, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking. Other ways include avoiding drinking alcohol, eating no more than three portions of red meat a week and little, if any, processed meat, breastfeeding if you can, and being safe in the sun.

 

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