New Stats Reveal Almost Half of the UK Are Unaware of Crucial Link between Diet and Cancer Development

Surprising new statistics reveal that 41% of the British population are oblivious to the role that diet plays in the development of cancer – and even those with a family history of the disease are failing to consume potentially “cancer-preventing” compounds in their daily diet.¹

The World Health Organisation suggests that at least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable². While the UK population appear to take certain cancer prevention strategies seriously (with 52% regularly protecting their skin from sun damage, 31% doing regular exercise and 41% refraining from smoking to help keep cancer at bay), new data reveals that only a quarter adapt their diet in a bid to reduce their cancer risk¹.

Experts suggest that while a balanced diet may help reduce overall disease risk, it doesn’t necessarily address the specifics of preventing individual cancers. However, research indicates that key “cancer-preventing” nutrients can be obtained from a selection of commonly available dietary ingredients, including:

•  Tomatoes (containing the compound lycopene – which may be protective against breast, prostate and liver cancer³)
• Curcumin (a compound found in the spice turmeric, linked a reduction in bowel, breast, pancreatic⁴ and liver cancer)
• Pomegranate (which has supportive health properties in the prostate gland)
• Green tea (contains antioxidants linked to a reduction in bowel, prostate³, pancreatic and liver cancersup>5).

The survey demonstrates a worryingly low daily intake of these nutrients across the UK population – with just 8% of people consuming tomatoes, 6% drinking green tea, 2% consuming curcumin and just 1% eating pomegranate each day.¹ The data shows no increase in awareness or consumption among those with a family history of cancer1, who may be at an increased risk.

Oncology Dietitian Tara Whyand is keen to encourage greater consumption of these key nutrients, but admits that it can be difficult to obtain apparently optimal doses from whole foods alone. She comments “You would need to eat a large amount of tomatoes each day to consume a high concentration of the antioxidant lycopene, which is unrealistic for most people.”

To help combat this issue a unique range of dietary supplements has been launched, containing evidence-based formulations designed to help reduce the risk of certain diseases. The supplements, called ProfBiotics, (www.profbiotics.com), have been developed by medical and nutritional experts specifically to support the wellbeing of the bowel, prostate, breasts, pancreas and liver. They contain high levels of nutrients linked by research to the wellbeing of specific organs in the body — including lycopene, curcumin, pomegranate, green tea, vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, vitamin B1 and zinc.

Justin Stebbing, Professor of Cancer Medicine and Oncology at Imperial College London, is supportive of the initiative. He comments: “Any approach which may help reduce cancer risk utilising diet and appropriate nutrients is of huge potential value for individuals and society.  The combinations used in these products are in line with the results of scientific research studying different tumour types and represent a new approach to tackling cancer incidencethrough diet and nutrient supplementation. The formulations may also have a role during and after cancer treatment for nutritional support, and to counter adverse effects of chemotherapies.”

Notes to Editors  

For all media enquiries, press information and sample requests, contact Sarah West at Spink. Call 01444 811099, or e-mail [email protected]

ProfBiotics Bowel – A unique vitamin and dietary supplement with a specific formulation of ingredients to support bowel (colorectal) wellbeing (RRP £29.50). Each capsule contains:
Curcumin extract 25:1 – 240mg providing 6000mg whole herb equivalent
Green Tea 30:1 – 33.34mg providing 1000mg whole herb equivalent 95% polyphenols
Vitamin D 12.5mcg (500 IU)

ProfBiotics Breast – A unique vitamin and dietary supplement with a specific formulation of ingredients to support breast wellbeing (RRP £35.00).  Each capsule contains:
Vitamin D 12.5mcg (500 IU) Zinc (from Citrate) 7.5mg
Curcumin extract 25:1 – 240mg providing 6000mg whole herb equivalent
Lycopene-rich Tomato Powder 5mg

ProfBiotics Prostate – A unique vitamin and dietary supplement with a specific formulation of ingredients to support prostate wellbeing (RRP£ 29.50). Each capsule contains:
Green Tea 30:1 – 33.34mg providing 1000mg whole herb equivalent
Pomegranate 25:1 – 20mg providing 500mg whole fruit equivalent
Lycopene-rich Tomato powder 10mg

ProfBiotics Pancreas – A unique vitamin and dietary supplement with a specific formulation of ingredients to support pancreas wellbeing (RRP £29.50). Each capsule contains:
Curcumin extract 25:1 – 240mg providing 6000mg whole herb equivalent
Selenium (from l-selenomethionine) 100mcg
Green Tea 30:1. – 33.34mg providing 1000mg whole herb equivalent

ProfBiotics Liver – A unique vitamin and dietary supplement with a specific formulation of ingredients to support liver wellbeing (RRP£45.00). Each capsule contains:
Curcumin extract 25:1 – 240mg providing 6000mg whole herb equivalent
Green Tea 30:1 – 33.34mg providing 1000mg whole herb equivalent
Lycopene-rich Tomato Powder 10mg
Vitamin E (D-alpha Tocopheryl Acid Succinate) 15mg
Thiamine 5mg

ProfBiotics offer concentrated nutrition and are not medicines designed to cure or treat cancer.
The range is available to buy from www.Profbiotics.com or by calling 020 7193 8838.

References
1. ComRes General Public Survey (2015). Genetic risk of cancer public polling. ComRes interviewed 2,046 GB adults online between 2nd and 4th January 2015. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+.
2. The World Health Organisation (2015). Cancer prevention. Available from: http://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/en/
3. M. Pericleous, D. Mandair and M.Caplin . (2013) Diet and supplements and their impact on colorectal cancer
4. D.Mandair, R. Rossi, M.Pericleous, T.Whyand and M.Caplin (2014). Prostate cancer and the influence of dietary factors and supplements: a systematic review.
5. M. Pericleous, D. Mandair, R.. Rossi, T. Whyand, M. Caplin  (2014). Nutrition and Pancreatic Cancer.
6. R. Rossi, M. Pericleous, D. Mandair, T. Whyand, M. Caplin (2014) The role of dietary factors in the prevention  and progression of breast cancer