Policy Reports content
We are dedicated to supporting people in Yorkshire to live longer, healthier lives, free of cancer. This means taking action to raise awareness of the facts about cancer and to call for Government policy change at a national level.
Our policy reports outline our knowledge of - and position on - key topics relating to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatments and health inequalities.
Exercise and cancer
In direct contrast to the old adage “rest is best”, it is now advised that people with cancer follow a personalised cancer exercise prehabilitation and rehabilitation plan to help the body prepare for, and recover from, cancer treatment.
There is a growing body of research that shows following a cancer diagnosis, exercising can reduce side effects and complications, support recovery, improve survival and reduce the risk of cancer returning. Our policy report explains the evidence on exercise following a cancer diagnosis and calls for personalised exercise, nutrition and wellbeing programmes for everyone diagnosed with cancer.
Tobacco
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Yorkshire and cuts short more than 3000 lives in the region each year. 7 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by tobacco smoking and Yorkshire has the second highest rate of smoking of all the regions in England. We believe that the Government should take further action to reduce the prevalence of tobacco smoking, which is the leading cause of preventable cancers in England.
Our policy report calls for the Government to ensure the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will increase the age of sale of tobacco every year and reduce the harm tobacco causes to younger generations.
Drawing upon evidence from the Yorkshire Stop Smoking Study, we also call for the Government to incorporate opt-out smoking cessation into as many NHS touchpoints as possible, so whenever someone who smokes interacts with the NHS, they are automatically enrolled into the high-quality stop smoking support they need to quit.
Vaping Products
Tobacco smoking is Yorkshire’s leading cause of preventable cancer and is responsible for over 4500 new cases each year. The region has the second highest smoking rates of any region in England.
The best thing that people who smoke can do for their health is to completely quit for good. Supporting people to stop smoking is therefore a key focus for Yorkshire Cancer Research. We believe that vaping products have an important role to play in reducing the harm from tobacco, by supporting people who smoke to quit. Our position is clear: if you smoke, vaping can help you quit but if you do not smoke, do not vape.
Our policy report summarises the evidence to date on vaping products and outlines the charity’s position on their use. Our report calls for the Government to ensure that everyone who wants to stop smoking has access to vaping products, whilst also reducing the appeal to young people who do not smoke.
Alcohol
Despite its acceptability within our society, alcohol is responsible for over 1000 cancers in Yorkshire a year. Findings from a survey we conducted across the region at the beginning of 2020 found that many people are unaware of the links between alcohol and cancer, the Government’s recommended alcohol guidelines and how many units they consume each week.
As part of our work to prevent cancer across the region, we are committed to raising awareness of the facts about alcohol. Our policy report summarises the evidence on the relationship between alcohol and cancer. Our report calls for measures including clear, evidenced-based information across all alcohol products, so that those who drink alcohol can make an informed decision about whether they continue and, if so, how much they drink.
Excess body weight
Living with excess body weight, when someone has a Body Mass Index of overweight and above, is linked to an increased risk of at least thirteen different types of cancer. Maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce this risk.
Excess body weight is the result of a wide range of factors, including a person’s genetics, their diet and the amount of physical activity they do. There is also a link between excess body weight and deprivation.
The number of people living with excess body weight has been steadily increasing in Yorkshire and nationally for the last 10 years. Yorkshire Cancer Research estimates that if the annual rate continues to increase at the same rate, more than 7 in 10 adults in Yorkshire will live with excess body weight by the end of the next decade. By 2043, it will likely overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer among women.
This report calls for the Government to launch a national long-term strategy, which places an emphasis on preventing the causes of excess body weight. Within this strategy, Yorkshire Cancer Research recommends increasing access to healthy dietary choices, opportunities for physical activity and establishing healthy habits for all children from the earliest age.
