With over 35 million more people estimated to live with cancer by 2050, healthy environments are crucial in preventing this disease, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) urges.
In a new report, WCRF – a leading authority on diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer – calls for governments worldwide to build environments that encourage people to exercise, eat healthily, and drink less alcohol.
Apart from saving lives, especially vulnerable populations that are especially affected by cancer, addressing these risk factors can also lessen the enormous strain of the disease on healthcare systems.
Published in January 2025, the “Policy Blueprint for Cancer Prevention,” features practical recommendations for policymakers and advocates, offering strategies to promote healthier diets and weight, increase physical activity, support breastfeeding, and reduce alcohol consumption.
The authors state that despite 40% of cancer cases being preventable through effective policies, progress on policy implementation has been inconsistent and slow, particularly in lower-income countries and among disadvantaged groups.
Immediate action in transforming where we live, work, and play can save millions of lives and reduce the economic burden of cancer. One example is obesity which is on track to overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer in the coming decades.
Obesity alone is projected to cost the global economy over $4 trillion annually by 2035.
The Policy Blueprint draws on global best practices, including guidance from the World Health Organization’s Non-Communicable Diseases “Best Buys,” the Global Action Plans on Physical Activity and Alcohol, and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
It also integrates existing frameworks developed by the Fund, such as NOURISHING and MOVING, which offer detailed, evidence-based policy tools to reduce diet- and activity-related cancer risks.
Six Policy Design Principles for Governments
The report urges governments to adopt a comprehensive, cross-sectoral strategy across eight key policy areas, emphasising that no single intervention is sufficient to address the growing cancer burden.
Central to this approach is the need for strong enforcement[MT1] of policies backed by monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure accountability. It also calls for a “health in all policies” mindset, where health considerations are woven into all areas of policymaking—not just those traditionally associated with public health.
To turn policy into impact, the blueprint stresses the importance of adequate funding and resources, alongside deliberate efforts to reduce health disparities. This includes both broad, population-wide initiatives and targeted health programmes for communities most at risk due to income, gender, education, or ethnicity.
The report also warns against industry interference in public health policy, particularly from sectors selling unhealthy products, and recommends redirecting revenues from taxes on harmful products—such as sugary drinks and alcohol—back into health-promoting initiatives.
Crucially, the blueprint also emphasises that cancer prevention policies have far-reaching benefits beyond cancer alone. Reducing risk factors such as obesity and alcohol consumption can also lower rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition, the report highlights co-benefits such as climate sustainability, economic resilience, and the promotion of human rights.
Ultimately, the report issues a clarion call: “We know what needs to be done — now governments must act.” The Policy Blueprint offers a roadmap not just for reducing cancer risk, but for building healthier, more equitable societies worldwide.
