Craig Tracey MP attended a Cancer Research UK event in Westminster this week to learn more about how lifestyle changes can reduce people’s risk of getting cancer.
North Warwickshire & Bedworth’s voice in Parliament met with campaigners and nurses from the charity’s Cancer Awareness Roadshow, to find out more about their work on cancer prevention.
More than four in ten cancer cases in the UK could be prevented each year, with smoking and obesity being the biggest avoidable causes of the disease, but while the dangers of smoking are well known, many are unaware of the link between obesity and cancer. This is particularly concerning when 65% people in the West Midlands are currently overweight.
Craig Tracey, who is a joint chair of the Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, said:
“We’ve come a long way in research and treatment for cancer, it’s shocking to hear that so many cases in North Warwickshire & Bedworth and across the UK could be prevented.
“We need to act now to help people to make positive lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active and maintain good health. “
The Westminster event coincided with the launch of Cancer Research UK’s new ‘Junk Free TV’ campaign, which aims to help address children’s obesity.
It calls for the removal of junk food adverts on TV before the 9pm watershed, to help reduce the impact of this negative influence over children’s food choices.
Alison Cox, Director of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s great to have Craig Tracey’s support with raising awareness of how people can reduce their risk of cancer.
“There are a lot of things working against us when it comes to making healthier choices. We’re all bombarded by advertising of junk foods packed with extra calories and this leads kids to pester their parents to buy unhealthy food for them.
“That’s why we’re calling on Government to introduce a number of measures to protect the health of the nation’s children, including removing junk food advertising on TV before the 9pm watershed.
“Obese children are more likely to be obese as adults, so it’s vital that young people are encouraged to eat healthily and keep active and that healthy choices are easy to make.”
To support the Junk Free TV campaign, visit cruk.org/junkfreetv.
Cancer Research’s vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured and progress is made every day. But more than 4 in 10 cancers can be prevented.
The Government is committed to improving cancer outcomes throughout the UK, and Ministers recognize that investing in research is vital in order to increase survival rates.
The UK is a world leader in health research and Craig Tracey MP stated:
“I am delighted that the science budget of £4.7 billion will be protected in real terms under this Parliament. I welcome plans already set out to invest £6.9 billion in the UK's scientific infrastructure up to 2021 which will mean new equipment, new laboratories and new research institutes.”
Constituents can find out more about the campaign at http://www.cancerresearchuk.org or by contacting publicaffairs@cancer.org.uk.