Policy and action for cancer prevention highlights from a new report by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research

In 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research produced food, nutrition and physical activity recommendations for personal and public health goals for reducing cancer risk. A companion publication, Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention, addresses the external influences on people's eating and physical activity habits over a lifetime and evaluates potential actions to change these behaviours. The Policy Report makes recommendations for policies and actions that will help achieve the public health goals for reducing cancer risk. The recommendations are addressed to policy-makers and decision-takers at international, national and local level. These recommendations, if implemented, will help influence and change the lifestyle choices that people make, thereby reducing the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases within the population. The overarching message of the Policy Report is that public health is everyone's business. The protection and improvement of public health does not happen by accident - it requires policies and actions to be implemented by all relevant sectors of society.