Gene Gems Editorial - January 2008
December 2007 saw the launch of the NHS Cancer Reform Strategy – a bold five year plan aimed at improving cancer services in the UK across the board. It aims to make sweeping changes, not only in the care and treatment of cancer patients, but also in preventing the disease.
Simple measures such as stopping smoking, avoiding sun-beds and vaccination against cancer-causing viruses could all potentially cut cancer rates. But what else can people do to cut their personal risk? Although claims for the powers of individual food items or supplements can sometimes be overblown or contradictory (see story below), the benefits of a healthy diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, are now well-established. Avoiding excessive alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight are also proven ways to cut the risk of cancer.
So the war against cancer is being fought on many fronts – as well as prevention, research into new treatments and diagnostic tests for cancer is continuing apace. Underpinning this work is a growing understanding of the role played by genes in cancer and other common diseases – read on to find out about the latest crop of exciting genetic breakthroughs.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year,
The Gene Gems team