BDA’s Cautious Welcome of Cancer Report

Although not fully involved during the consultation period, the British Dietetic Association welcomes the Cancer Reform Strategy, which was announced on 3rd December 2007. 

Clare Shaw, consultant dietitian and chair of the British Dietetic Association’s Oncology Group, said: “We welcome the findings of the Report. It supports the NICE guidance on supportive and palliative care which emphasises the need for patients to be able to access the right services at the right time in their cancer treatment. Diet and nutrition is increasingly recognised as an essential aid to cancer prevention and can significantly improve survival rate post cancer treatment.

“Altered dietary intake and weight loss are common amongst many cancers, so it is important that patients are able to access expertise and advice when required to ensure that they have a good dietary intake during and post treatment.

“Diet and obesity can play a role in the development of some cancers so the right diet can go a long way to prevent cancers developing. Dietitians play a crucial role in supporting people when it comes to deciding which foods to eat. This was recently demonstrated when the World Cancer Research Fund published a report on Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity. The subsequent confusion highlighted the difficulty the wider public has in translating scientific research into every day healthy food choices.”

4th December 2007

Sanjay Mistry
National PR Officer
The British Dietetic Association

Media Hotline: 0870 850 2517