On the 24-26 July 2002 the First Australian Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer conference was held. It was hosted by the Cancer Council of NSW on behalf of the Cancer Council Australia and the Cancer Society of New Zealand. The following recommendations were made, based on best available evidence, for the prevention of cancer:

1. Increased consumption of fruit , vegetables and fibre (especially vegetables; not including potato)

2. Decreased energy consumption to prevent weight gain or energy balance to retain healthy weights; good evidence for obesity as a risk factor for endometrial, colorectal and renal cell cancers and postmenopausal breast cancer.

3. High temperature cooking may contribute about 0.5% total cancer risk by forming potentially carcinogenic compounds e.g fats become oxidised, carbohydrates result in acrylamide, proteins result in heterocyclic amines and all organic materials produce polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

4. The evidence linking meat intake with cancer remains controversial and is complicated by the varying definitions of 'meat' in different studies.

5. Some evidence supports a protective role for fish.

6. About 45-60minutes a day physical activity is required for cancer prevention and some vigorous activity throughout the week. There is good evidence that physical activity reduces risk of colon cancer, moderate evidence for breast cancer and fair evidence for prostate cancer.
Copies of conference abstract book are available from the Cancer Council of NSW
for $15. Contact kathyc@nswcc.org.au.

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Last Updated: August , 2002.