Food, nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective – the WCRF/AICR second report

Summary The 1997 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) report, Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective, has become the most authoritative statement on the topic. Since then, new evidence has emerged, and more sophisticated methods of reviewing and assessing the literature have been developed. As a result, WCRF/AICR has invited a new expert panel of scientists, with observers from the United Nations and other international agencies, to work on the production of a second report, due to be published in 2006. In addition, a special methodology task force, commissioned by WCRF, has established a methodology to systematically review the evidence. No such methodology has, up to now, been used for assessing mainly observational data on causation of disease. A portfolio approach to the evidence is used, in which all types of study, with their advantages and disadvantages, contribute to the inference of causation. Seven academic centres from the UK, the USA and continental Europe are using this new methodology to comprehensively review evidence in systematic literature reviews. In a separate process, an expert panel will make conclusions from the systematic literature reviews. Together with other relevant evidence, the panel will use these conclusions as the basis for formulating recommendations. Set against this backdrop, the new report will act as the most authoritative global report ever to be published on the subject of food, nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of cancer. It will form the basis for coherent strategies for cancer prevention and control and will set the scientific agenda for years to come.