Cancer and diet

Staying slim and reducing consumption of red meat, alcohol, processed meat and salt is being advised for people to cut their risk of cancer.

Recommendations have been outlined in a report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), the most comprehensive study of the link between cancer risk and diet, exercise and weight.

A panel of 21 world-renowned scientists analysed 7,000 studies from around the world on cancer and lifestyle choices.

Their results say that people should stay at the lower end of the healthy weight range as excess body fat has been linked to a number of cancers.

"This might sound difficult, but this is what the science is telling us more clearly than ever before," said Professor Sir Michael Marmont.

"The fact is that putting on weight can increase your cancer risk, even if you are still within the healthy range. So the best advice for cancer prevention is to avoid weight gain, and if you are already overweight then you should aim to lose weight."

Processed meats such as ham and bacon are advised to be consumed "sparingly" by the report as it says there is "convincing evidence" of a link to bowel cancer.

Alcohol consumption also needs to be cut to two drinks a day for men and one for women if their cancer risk is to be reduced, according to the WCRF.

"If people follow our recommendations, they can be confident they are following the best advice possible based on all the scientific research done up to this point," said the report's project director Professor Martin Wiseman.

InTheNews.co.uk brings you all the key responses and comment on the issue throughout the day.