Professor Jim Mann from the University of Otago is an expert on nutrition and cancer, and a member of the World Cancer Research Fund’s leading panel of scientists.  These are his thoughts on reducing cancer risk.

 “We have known for a long time that obesity is an important risk factor for cancer, but there is an overwhelming amount of additional new evidence.  Obesity and lack of physical activity increase the risk of a whole range of cancers, including some of the commonest cancers we know.  Reducing the incidence and prevalence of obesity is an absolutely critical factor in cancer risk reduction.

“Regular physical activity and good nutrition has the potential to radically reduce the incidence and death rate from cancer worldwide - probably to the extent of one third.

“Attempts to incriminate a single food are likely to lead to inappropriate diets, diets which will not necessarily protect against cancer.  To the best of my knowledge, and to the best of anyone’s knowledge, there is no evidence that moderate intakes of red meat cause any harm in terms of cancer, or indeed I might say, anything else I’m aware of.  Indeed red meat is an excellent source of a whole range of nutrients.”

Professor Jim Mann, University of Otago