Cancer cases are projected to increase by 75% over the next 20 years according to the World Cancer Report 2014. Primary prevention through lifestyle remains the main way to reduce the global burden of cancers. It is estimated that at least 1/3 of cancers are preventable through adequate nutrition, physical activity and maintenance of a healthy body weight.Targeted health promotion campaigns that lead to better understanding of risk factors and increased prevention efforts will offer cost-effective, and sustainable means, to reduce the global cancer burden in the longer term. Recent research has shown very poor knowledge of risk factors for cancer in the Irish public (Ryan et al, 2015).
UCC are currently developing a book entitled ‘Good Nutrition for Cancer Prevention’ in conjunction with Breakthrough Cancer Research, Cork Institute of Technology and the INDI. It will contain recommendations for cancer prevention translated into lay language, along with a bank of 150 recipes which will assist in weight control along with being compliant with all other cancer prevention guidelines.
This HRB Summer Student Scholarship will allow an undergraduate student to work as part of our research team in developing this valuable resource. The student will assist in writing, conduct literature reviews, collection and analysis of recipes from chefs and dietitians and modification of ingredients if necessary. She will work with food photographers and graphic design artists on our team to produce an end product that will be endorsed by the INDI and the Irish Society of Medical Oncology.
