Who we are & what we do

World Cancer Research Fund International examines how diet, weight and physical activity affect your risk of developing and surviving cancer.

As part of an international network of charities, we have been funding life-saving research, influencing global public health policy and educating the public since 1982.

While society continues to search for a cure, our prevention and survival work is helping people to live longer, happier and healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer.

We were the first cancer charity to:

  • Create awareness of the link between diet and cancer.
  • Fund research into diet and cancer prevention.
  • Collate and analyse all the global research on the links between diet, weight, physical activity and cancer, and translate the findings into practical, scientifically-proven recommendations on cancer prevention. These recommendations are for use by health professionals, individuals and governments worldwide.

What we do

Our vision is to live in a world where no one develops a preventable cancer.

On behalf of the cancer prevention charities in the World Cancer Research Fund network, we commission research from leading institutions around the world into the effects of diet, nutrition, body fatness and physical activity on cancer and cancer survival. This research aims to fill the current gaps in scientific knowledge.

Our Global Cancer Update Programme is the world’s largest, most authoritative and up-to-date source of scientific research on cancer prevention and survivorship through diet, weight and physical activity. We analyse this research so you have access to the best cancer prevention advice in the world.

Our network of charities use our Cancer Prevention Recommendations based on this research to provide practical help, advice and tips on how people can reduce their risk of developing cancer.

We use our research to influence public health policy at the highest level and are trusted advisors to governments and other official bodies from around the world, including the World Health Organization.