Despite the publication earlier this year of two studies ( Link 1, Link 2) showing that genetic factors play an overriding role in our likelihood of contracting certain diseases, Cancer Research UK is sticking to the tired old script. The charity’s latest research paper places more than 40% of the cause for ill health firmly on the head of the sufferer.
What our members say…
This is another observational study. These are fine for detecting associations, but only intervention trials can prove that lifestyle changes actually reduce cancer. Such trials are hugely expensive but I do know that several have been done.
Typical of these are the huge, long running Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial and The Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial. In both cases, there was great success in lifestyle modification but no significant reduction in cancer rates. Of course there may be many others that were successful, but we haven’t heard anything about them.
It seems to me that an assessment of these trials would be helpful for cost benefit analysis, prior to launching any Government interventions.
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