1. Cancer Risk and Lifestyle Choices Sarah Lyness Executive Director Policy and Information 24 th April 2012

2. Max Parkin Review of Cancer and Lifestyle The most comprehensive review of lifestyle and cancer Explored the proportion of cancers caused by 14 lifestyle and environmental risk factors Built on previous studies such as the Peto study and the World Cancer Research Fund report

3. Summary of results 42.7% of cancer cases were linked to the 14 major risk factors 134,000 cancer cases in 2010 in the UK were preventable Over 100,000 cases were caused by smoking, obesity, poor diet and drinking. Tobacco was the biggest risk factor. 45% of cancers in men and 40% in women are preventable

5. Percentage of preventable cancers, by site

6. The Results: Breakdown – Tobacco and Diet Tobacco: –Cause nearly 20% of cancers –Over 60,000 cancer cases Diet (Fruit & Veg, Red Meat, Fibre, Salt): –Together poor diet causes 9.2% of cancers –29,000 cases of cancer –Lack of fruit and vegetables – 4.7% of cancers –Excessive red and processed meat - 2.7% –Lack of fibre – 1.5% –Excessive salt – 0.5%

7. The Results: Breakdown – Obesity, Alcohol and UV Radiation Obesity: - Cause 5.5% of cancers - 17,000 cases of cancer in 2010 Alcohol: - Cause 4% of cancers - 12,500 cases of cancer in 2010 Sunlight and Sunbeds: - Cause 3.5% of cancers - 11,100 cases of cancer in 2010

8. Creating an environment for better health Individuals are influenced by the norms created by the environment that they live in Some decisions are reflective and others are automatic Although individuals have choices, the current environment directs the majority of people to make unhealthy decisions Understanding what drives this behaviour can help to reframe these choices Government must establish new norms by creating an environment where healthier behaviour is easier

9. Developing comprehensive solutions A comprehensive approach that encourages healthy behaviour and discourages unhealthy behaviour Tougher action to protect young people from health harms ‘Nudge’ policies should be used alongside other interventions Policy interventions should be evidence based and cost effective

10. Tobacco Control As the biggest cause of cancer it requires a robust approach: Protecting children from accessing tobacco and from tobacco marketing Real price of tobacco should remain high Maximise the use of effective cessation methods Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke

11. Plain Packaging Packaging is used as marketing by the tobacco industry It can mislead smokers about the risks of smoking and reduce the effect of health warnings Plain packaging is needed to discourage children from taking up smoking.

12. Obesity and Diet A comprehensive strategy covering all level and areas of Government: Traffic light nutritional labelling Restrictions on marketing unhealthy food to children Expand health campaigns such as Change4Life Develop comprehensive local action plans

13. Alcohol Efforts must focus on reducing consumption to protect long term health Increase prices through duties and minimum pricing Restrictions on advertising and marketing Improved labelling and awareness

14. Sunlight and Sunbeds A focus on those at high risk of harm such as children: Increased regulation of sunbeds in England especially a ban on unsupervised sunbeds Effective enforcement of current regulations across the UK Increased awareness of the harms of the sun and the need for protection

15. Conclusion The current environment leads to unhealthy behaviour Not all choices made by people are conscious decisions Government must be more proactive to reframe lifestyle choices and empower people The approach has to be comprehensive

16. Thank You