We asked SCPN friends and advisors to tell us about a report/paper/findings/work on cancer screening and prevention that has been published this year and has made them stop and think. The works span a wide range of areas from very detailed scientific investigation, reviews of physical activities, and blogs of model work. We find them a complete inspiration. When only 3% of the NCRI research budget is spent on prevention and virtually nil on implementation research; these papers provide a window on some of the very good reasons why cancer screening and prevention should be a leading part of cancer control research.

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Dr Graham Colditz is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention. As an epidemiologist and public health expert, he has a longstanding interest in the preventable causes of chronic disease, particularly among women. He is also interested in strategies to speed translation of research findings to prevention strategies that work. His past research has focused on the health effects of smoking, weight and weight gain, physical activity, diet, and the adverse effects of medications such as postmenopausal hormone therapy, documenting that current use increases risk of breast cancer.

Graham’s nominated paper of the year is: Steele, CB., Thomas, CC., Jane Henley, SJ., et al. (2017) ‘Vital Signs: Trends in Incidence of Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity — United States, 2005–2014’ MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 66: 1052–1058.

Graham chose this paper because…

“Obesity undeniably causes cancer.  This 2017 MMWR report highlights that between 2005 and 2014, 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States were obesity-related disease.  With close to 60 percent of today’s children in the US projected to become obese in young adulthood, young adult cancer rates will likely rise dramatically. In those under age 50, there is already an increasing burden of cancer, including myeloma as well as pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Such findings highlight the need for real and effective efforts at obesity prevention at many levels, including clinical interventions which have great potential but are too rarely used.”

Read the paper here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6639e1.htm

If you experience any difficulties accessing the paper, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at scpn@cancerpreventionscotland.org.uk